Bible Verse Friday #35

"Then the man said, "Let me go, for the dawn is breaking!" But Jacob said, "I will not let you go unless you bless me." ~Genesis 32:26

My NLT Life Application Study Bible says the following:

32:26 Jacob continued this wrestling match all night just to be blessed.  He was persistent.  God encourages persistence in all areas of our lives, including the spiritual.  Where in your spiritual life do you need more persistence?  Strong character develops as you struggle through tough conditions.

This post was inspired by Bitsy.

I watch her daily as she persistently attempts the same tasks over and over, refining her skills as she goes.

Each day she becomes better.

Some days she is more frustrated than others, yet she doesn't just quit.

When do we out grow that quality?

How do we learn that if something is not going as we want it to, as quickly as we want it to that we can just quit?

That we can walk away and not think twice about it?

I don't want her to learn that trait.

Although I have a suspicion that it's unavoidable.

I wish I could unlearn that characteristic.

Think about your life.

What things have you given up because they were too hard?

I'll be the first to say that strength training exercises are something I'm quick to quit on...running is another one.

I don't find joy in those exercises and maybe that is why I walk away from them.

When do we learn that if it doesn't make us happy we don't need it.

I'm sure there are plenty of kids out there that would tell you they shouldn't have to eat their vegetables because they don't make them happy, but as parents we have to persistently continue to feed those vitamin rich foods to our youngins'.

Now take a step away from your daily life and focus in on your spiritual life.

We are asked above...."Where.....do you need more persistence?"

Is it in trusting that God will provide?

Is it in believing he has a purpose for you life?

Is it in learning his word?

God wants us to have faith like a child.

"When Jesus saw what was happening, he was angry with his disciples.  He said to them, "Let the children come to me.  Don't stop them!  For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children.  I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn't receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it". ~Mark 10:14

I encourage you to try to live like a child this week.

Find a task that you may have previously given up on and go back to it.

Persistently try to complete it.

If babies gave up on learning they would never roll over, they would never crawl, they would never walk.

We must first all learn to roll over.

After that we will crawl on our hands and knees.

Walking is next.

And finally we will be running and jumping for joy and for Jesus!

it all starts with baby steps.

I hope you have a Blessed Friday!