Anyway, on to the devotion.
Read
Genesis 32:22-32
Think
First, it asks me to read the passage aloud.
One meaning of the name "Jacob" is "manipulator." And boy, was he! He was the master of manipulation. After making these elaborate plans to prepare for the meeting with Esau (you have to read some of the previous passages to understand why), he lags behind, and is met by a "man." He wrestled with this "man" until daybreak. Who was this "man?" We aren't absolutely sure. Some call him an angel. But Jacob says in verse 30 of our reading that he met GOD face to face. I believe that Jacob wrestled with God, himself, in the form of the preincarnate Christ. He appears in other passages and is called The Angel of the LORD.
The first question I am asked is, picturing myself in this narrative, am I Jacob, or am I a passive bystander, observing it all, invisibly, of course?
I identify a little with Jacob. I tend to try to manipulate circumstances, but am not so good at manipulating people. Nevertheless, I have wrestled with God before (not in person, mind you, as Jacob did here). And let me tell you something. When you wrestle with God, you don't win. Kind of like that old John Mellencamp song..."When I fight authority, authority always wins."
Then the question is asked, what moment in the passage resonates with me the most? Wanting desperately to be blessed, wanting desperately to know more of God, or something other.
I don't need more blessing. I have been blessed by God beyond my wildest dreams. What I desperately need is to know more of God. And there, I identify with Jacob. "What is your name?" "Who are you?" That is why, through all these years, through all of my struggles and falling into sin, I have never released my grip on the Father, no matter how slim it got. And, praise his name, he never let go of me. He promised he wouldn't.
Pray
I am instructed to pray based on which part resonated with me the most. To pray about what I desperately want most from God. It even suggests writing it down to keep from being distracted, then listen for words from God. As I'm praying, the lyrics of the song, "In the Secret" pounded into my brain.
I want to know you, I want to hear your voice, I want to know you more. I want to touch you, I want to see your face, I want to know you more!
Live
I'm instructed to sit quietly before God, imagining night sounds, the smell of running water, etc. To try to be comfortable with God in this setting. What does it feel like to trust and t reveal the desires of you heart? What would you like it to feel like?
Rest.