When is Devastating Pain Actually God’s Wondrous Grace?
When I look back over all the years of my life; I am amazed by God’s Grace. How many times have I run ahead of God? How many times have I tried to help him accomplish his plans in my life, my way-not His? How often have I been impatient or pouted even because I couldn’t see His blessings? How often have I said, “If you would only…., then I could serve you better.” It has been God’s gracious hand that has lead me each step of the way. There have been moments of devastating pain along this journey. Yet, I have found those moments of devastating pain-both physical and emotional; were actually God’s Wondrous Grace working out His plan for my life in spite of me. Much like the life of Jacob, recorded in Genesis. Still Jacob made God’s “faith hall of fame” Hebrews 11, “21By faith, Jacob … worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff.”
© Providence Collection/Licensed from GoodSalt.com
[bctt tweet=”JACOB WAS CRIPPLED THAT HE MIGHT BE CROWNED, BROKEN THAT HE MIGHT SEE GRACE, AND …”] JACOB WAS HUMBLED THAT HE MIGHT RECEIVE GOD’S SOVEREIGN BLESSING.
WHY WAS JACOB LEANING ON HIS STAFF?
Jacob had wrestled with God throughout the beginning of his walk with God. He wanted to do things his own way. Pride, arrogance, and fear all were part of his life. There came a moment in his walk with God, that he came face to face with the truth of his utter unworthiness. It was a moment of devastating pain that allowed Jacob to actually see God’s Wondrous Grace. God touched his hip and he fell to the ground. He would from that day forward walk with a limp and require a staff to lean on; but, it was there that he realized God’s Grace gave him life. None of his own works could make him worthy. All that God bestowed upon him was a gift of a Sovereign God who would accomplish His plan for Jacob’s life because God chose to and not because Jacob deserved anything. That is Amazing, Wondrous Grace!! Join me as I tell you Jacob’s story.
THE YEARS LEADING UP TO JACOB’S DEVASTATING BLOW
Before Jacob was born, God had declared that he would be the one chosen to lead God’s nation. This God told Rebekah while Jacob was still in her womb along with his twin Esau. Despite Esau being born first, God had declared that He was going to establish His people through the seed of Jacob. Had Rebekah told Jacob of this over the years? We aren’t told that. We are told that Jacob was an opportunist and a trickster. He had gotten his brother to “sell his birthright” to him at a time when his brother was extremely hungry, desiring food. We also knew that when Isaac, his father was old and prepared to pass on the blessing of God to his sons; Jacob tricked him by pretending to be Esau. After the blessing was given to Jacob, Esau arrived. Esau received a blessing; but, that was only the leftovers. He became very angry. Jacob ran for his life with only a staff in his hand to Haran. Along the journey, God came to him in a dream. A ladder from heaven was seen and Angels ascending and descending. God told Jacob that the land would be his and that the covenant with Abraham would be accomplished through Jacob. “20 And Jacob vowed a vow, saying, If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on, 21 So that I come again to my father’s house in peace; then shall the Lord be my God” (Genesis 28). Jacob went on his way. God remarkably did prosper him. Jacob had glimpses of realization that God had shown grace upon Him. There were those moments when Jacob recognized his own unworthiness; yet, often Jacob went on trying to help God accomplish the task. Then, God told him to return to the land that God had promised him. Jacob was fearful of his brother; despite, God sending angels to comfort him. Jacob sent before him large gifts to appease his brothers with servants to tell Esau that Jacob was coming bowed low to serve him (not the way God planned).
ONE FATEFUL NIGHT-DEVASTATING PAIN-GOD’S WONDROUS AND SOVEREIGN GRACE
So God appears in the form of a man. Jacob wrestled with him all night—then God touched his hip and Jacob fell to the ground. He changed from demanding God’s blessing to pleading instead. God asked his name and Jacob for the first time recognized himself as so unworthy before God. “27 ? And [in shock of realization, whispering] he said, Jacob [supplanter, schemer, trickster, swindler]!” (Genesis 32 AMP). Then it was that God changed his name from Jacob to Israel. After much research, I found that there was great controversy regarding the meaning of the name Israel. The most likely conclusion: “Ruled by God.” A culmination of all the years of Jacob’s journey with God to that point. He had wrestled with God and tried to accomplish things his own way. He had been in ways defiant, demanding terms for his worship of God. Sound familiar with your journey thus far?
2 POINTS TO REMEMBER
1. God will accomplish all that He has planned for the life of every one of His children; whatever it takes!!
2. A devastating blow, loss, or pain is actually an act of God’s Wondrous Grace in your life. He knows what it takes to transform you, sanctify you and prepare you to receive His blessings.
God loves you and me too much to leave us where he found us with our hearts darkened with pride, arrogance, and self-will. He knows that for us to see His Glory, feel the depth of His love and bathe in His Joy; we must first get our eyes off ourselves and gaze upon Him.
Have you ever experienced devastating pain only to find that it was actually God’s Wondrous Grace at work in your life? I invite you to share your story and COMMENT HERE.
A song for today: Sovereign Over Us
Amplified Bible (AMP)
Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation
The artist that drew the picture “A Broken and Contrite Heart” featured on my header is Ronald Barba. Please go to his website ( http://www.barba-art.com) for information regarding obtaining copies or to commission him to create a masterpiece for you. Feel free to email him at Ron@Barba-Art.com to discuss any art projects.
©2015 Effie Darlene Barba
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.