Holy Takedown
Theme of the Week: Worship: On Whose Terms?
Doug Perkins
Thursday, May 8, 2008
 1 of 1
Key Bible Verse: But Jacob panted, "I will not let you go unless you bless me" Genesis 32:26.Bonus Reading: Genesis 32:22-31
Grabber! Wrestling fans should identify with this guy's World-Wrestling-Federation-power-lingo first name (Jacob literally means "he grasps the heel"). It sounds like the way I tackle my work!
Chuck Colson famously told colleagues he'd "walk all over my grandmother" to advance his career. Jacob had made similar power grabs. But on this night the Lord invaded his life—as he later invaded Colson's—delivering him from his grubby grabbing. He'll also invade ours to transform us into struggling submitters.
Worshiping daily on God's terms, reverently and consciously submitting to him, is the most permanently satisfying thing a man can do—and the most difficult. So the Lord himself must wrestle with us. Three key holds to practice:
- Hands off (daily repenting from my sinful grabbing). I'm a much worse sinner than I thought.
- Hands up (daily surrendering to His satisfying grace). God's mercy is much deeper than I ever dared to dream.
- Hands on—God's hands, that is—firmly grasping me. Whatever it takes.
For this wrestler with the new name, Israel (which translates "one who struggles with God"), it took knocking his hip out of joint. But imagine how many worshipful, satisfying moments lay ahead for him.
—Doug Perkins in Delaware
My Response: How could I mirror Jacob's intensity in my approach to God?
Thought to Apply: God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in him.—John Piper (Minnesota pastor & author)
Copyright © 2008 by the author or Christianity Today International/Men of Integrity magazine.Click here for reprint information on Men of Integrity. 1 of 1
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Keep me, God, from a presumptuous stance in Your majestic presence, but grant me a humble confidence based on Your sacrificial love.
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