Listen

Jacob got up during the night, took his two wives, his two women servants, and his eleven sons, and crossed the Jabbok River’s shallow water. He took them and everything that belonged to him, and he helped them cross the river. But Jacob stayed apart by himself, and a man wrestled with him until dawn broke.

Genesis 32:22-24

Think

Have you ever made unfortunate choices in life that left you feeling isolated or wishing you could just start fresh? Jacob, by this point in his story, has manipulated, cheated, and lied his way to get to this moment in the wilderness. Maybe he sends his family ahead of him so that he can have some time to process what he’s done and to try to come to terms with his choices. He can’t outrun his choices anymore. Maybe he needs some space to figure out how to move forward through his own regret or grief. Whatever his motivation, Jacob spends a sleepless night wrestling with a mysterious divine being until daybreak looms.

It’s important to take a breather now and then whenever we realize that we haven’t been making great decisions lately, even when that requires a night or two of wrestling with God. During your seasons of uncertainty and reevaluation, keep the conversation going with God. God is always ready to stick with us through a fresh start!

Katie Strednak Singer

Pray

Giver of Grace, help me to receive the gift of this new day. Teach me to forgive others as you forgive us. Thank you for the new day ahead to live with joy and gratitude, freed to love and serve in your beloved name! Amen.

Go

No matter what you are wrestling with today, remember that God goes with you along the way. Together with God, you can make it through hard things!

God has said:

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.

Isaiah 43:2