How To Get Through Struggles and Win | Genesis 25 | Mike Prah

Mar 5, 2022 | by Mike Prah

HOW TO GET THROUGH STRUGGLES AND WIN | Genesis 25 | Mike Prah

                “Because you (sinned)...  all your life you will struggle”  Genesis 3:17 (LB)

I.  LIFE IS A STRUGGLE – JACOB’S EXAMPLE

 WE STRUGGLE WITH OTHER PEOPLE

               Jacob struggled:

                                             With his brother |    Gen. 25:22, Hosea 12:3

                                             With two wives  |     Gen. 30:1-24

                                             With his in-laws    | Gen. 31:1-2

                                             With his 12 sons     I    Gen. 37-50

 “The babies jostled each other within her [Rebecca], and she said, “Why is this happening to me?” So she went to inquire of the Lord.” Genesis 25:22, NIV

   WE STRUGGLE WITH OURSELVES

  I don’t understand myself at all, for I really want to do what is right, but I can’t. I do what I don’t want to—what I hate … No matter which way I turn I can’t make myself do right. I want to but I can’t … but there is something else deep within me, in my lower nature, that is at war with my mind” Romans 7:15-23 (LB)

 OUR REAL STRUGGLE IS WITH GOD

“Even in the womb, Jacob struggled with his brother; when he became a man, he even fought with God.” Hosea 12:3 (NLT)

 JACOB’S WRESTLING MATCH WITH GOD

 “Jacob got up, took his [family] and crossed the Jabbok River … but he stayed behind, alone. Then a Man came and wrestled with him until just before daybreak. When the man saw that he was not winning the struggle, he hit Jacob on the hip, and it was thrown out of joint. The Man said, “Let me go; daylight is coming.” Jacob answered, “I WON'T, UNLESS YOU BLESS ME.” Genesis 32:22-26 (GNT)

 “The Man asked, “What is your name?” “Jacob,” he answered. The man said, “Your name will no longer be Jacob. You have STRUGGLED WITH GOD and with men, and YOU HAVE WON; so your name will be ISRAEL.” Genesis 32:27-28 (GNT)

 Jacob = “Deceiver. Manipulator”

                              Israel = “Struggled with God. Prince with God”

 “THEN God blessed him there. So Jacob called the place Peniel, saying, “It is because I saw God face to face, and yet my life was spared.” Genesis 32:29-30 (NIV)

“Give all your worries and cares to God, for He cares about you.” 1 Peter 5:7 (NLT)

HOW TO GET THROUGH STRUGGLES AND END UP BLESSED – (C.A.R.E)

 C – COMPLAIN TO GOD ABOUT WHAT I THINK IS UNFAIR OR PAINFUL

“I’ve lost all hope, so what if God kills me?  I’m going to state my case to Him… Listen to my words, God, of explanation.  I’m ready to state my case, because I know I’m right.  Are you coming to accuse me, God?  Speak first, O God, and I’ll answer.  Or let me speak, and you answer me.  What are my sins?  What wrongs have I done? What crimes am I charged with? Why do you avoid me? Why do you treat me like an enemy?  Are you trying to frighten me?  I’m nothing but a leaf; you’re attacking [me like] a piece of dry straw.”  Job 13:15-25 (GNT)

“How long, Lord, will you forget me?  Forever?  How long will you look the other way?  How long must I struggle with anguish in my soul, with sorrow in my heart everyday?  How long will my enemy have the upper hand?  Turn and answer me, my God! ...  I trust in your unfailing love.” Psalm 13:1-5 (NLT)

 “My life is full of troubles, and I’m nearly dead … I’m like a man with no strength… You’ve taken my friends away from me and made them hate me… My eyes are weak from crying.  Lord, I’ve prayed to you every day… I’ve called you for help; Lord, why do you reject me?  Why do you hide from me?... I’ve been weak and dying since I was young.  You’ve taken away my loved ones and friends. Darkness is my only friend.” Psalm 88:3-18 (NCV)

 “I call to the Lord for help; I plead with Him.  I bring all my complaints to Him; I tell Him my troubles.  When I’m ready to give up, He knows what I should do.” Psalm 142:1-3 (GNT)

 “Evening and morning and at noon I utter my complaint and moan, and He hears my voice!”  Psalm 55:17 (ESV)

 A - APPEAL TO GOD’S NATURE

“O Lord, are you not the God who is in heaven?  You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations.  Power and might are in your hands and no one can withstand you.  O our God, did you not… give us this land forever to the descendants of Abraham your friend?  Now three nations are trying to drive us out.  O our God, will you not judge them?  We don’t have any power to face this vast army that’s attacking us.  We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you.” 2 Chronicles 20:6-12 (NIV)

 R - REMIND GOD OF WHAT HE SAID

“Then Jacob prayed, ‘O God of my grandfather Abraham and my father, Isaac— you told me to return to my land and to my relatives, and you promised to treat me kindly.  I am not worthy of all the faithfulness and unfailing love...  but O Lord, please rescue me from my brother, Esau.  I am afraid that he is coming to kill me...  But you promised to treat me kindly and to multiply my descendants...’” Genesis 32:9-12 (NLT)

 E - EXPRESS MY TOTAL TRUST IN GOD

“Though he [God] slay me, yet I will trust in Him.”  Job 13:15 (KJV)

 “Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vine; and even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; and even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, yet I will still rejoice in the Lord! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation.  The Sovereign Lord is my strength!”  Habakkuk 3:17-19 (NLT)