Wrestling with God: Faith Through Struggle and Lament
Summary
In times of struggle, especially when grappling with feelings of disappointment or anger towards God, it's crucial to understand that God welcomes our wrestling. This is not a sign of His indifference but rather a testament to His deep care and love for us. God is not detached; He is intimately involved in our lives and desires us to bring our grievances to Him. The Bible is replete with examples of lament, a form of prayer that allows us to express our pain and confusion to God. Lamenting is not about complaining against God but rather to Him, which is an act of faith and worship.
When faced with unanswered prayers or life's challenges, the first step is to tell God what we find unfair or painful. This honest communication is the beginning of a lament. The Bible shows us that figures like Job, David, and Jeremiah openly expressed their frustrations and fears to God. This is not rebellion but a form of worship that acknowledges God's sovereignty and our dependence on Him.
The next step is to appeal to God's nature. By reminding God of His character—His goodness, love, and justice—we align our hearts with His promises. This is a powerful way to engage with God, as seen in the prayers of biblical figures who appealed to God's nature during their struggles.
We should also remind God of His promises. God delights in being reminded of His word, as it shows our trust in His faithfulness. Just as a child reminds a parent of a promise, we can remind God of His promises to us, knowing that He is a loving Father who keeps His word.
Finally, we express our total trust in God. Despite our circumstances, we choose to trust in His goodness and plan. This trust is not contingent on our understanding but on our faith in God's character. The story of Jacob wrestling with God illustrates that true victory comes through surrender. By giving up control and trusting God, we receive His blessing and presence in our lives.
Key Takeaways:
- Wrestling with God is an Act of Faith: Engaging in a struggle with God is not a sign of disbelief but a profound act of faith. It shows that we trust God enough to bring our deepest concerns to Him, knowing He cares deeply for us. This is evident in the biblical practice of lament, where expressing our pain to God is an act of worship. [01:36]
- Appealing to God's Nature: When we remind God of His character—His goodness, love, and justice—we are not only affirming our faith but also aligning our hearts with His promises. This appeal is a powerful way to engage with God, as it reflects our trust in His unchanging nature. [09:04]
- Reminding God of His Promises: God loves to be reminded of His promises, as it demonstrates our reliance on His faithfulness. Just as a child reminds a parent of a promise, we can remind God of His word, knowing that He is a loving Father who keeps His promises. [11:00]
- Expressing Total Trust in God: Despite our circumstances, we choose to trust in God's goodness and plan. This trust is not based on our understanding but on our faith in God's character. The story of Jacob illustrates that true victory comes through surrendering to God. [14:00]
- Surrendering Control to God: The way to win a struggle with God is by surrendering control. Recognizing that we are not in control of life's greatest challenges allows us to depend on God, who is sovereign and loving. This surrender leads to experiencing God's blessing and presence in our lives. [16:27]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:12] - Introduction to Struggles with God
- [00:46] - God's Love and Care
- [01:52] - The Power of Lament
- [02:36] - Biblical Examples of Lament
- [04:20] - Complaining to God as Worship
- [06:20] - The Right Way to Complain
- [08:29] - Appealing to God's Nature
- [10:42] - Reminding God of His Promises
- [13:41] - Expressing Total Trust in God
- [16:27] - Surrendering to Win
- [18:50] - The Significance of Jacob's Limp
- [20:07] - Personal Reflection Questions
- [22:27] - Prayer of Surrender
- [23:59] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. 1 Peter 5:7 - "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you."
2. Job 13:15 - "Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him; I will surely defend my ways to his face."
3. Habakkuk 3:17-19 - "Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior. The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to tread on the heights."
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Observation Questions:
1. According to 1 Peter 5:7, what are we encouraged to do with our anxieties, and why? How does this reflect God's character? [01:16]
2. In Job 13:15, what is Job's attitude towards God despite his suffering? How does this demonstrate his faith? [14:40]
3. How does Habakkuk express his trust in God despite the dire circumstances described in Habakkuk 3:17-19? What does this reveal about his relationship with God? [15:33]
4. What examples of lament are given in the sermon, and how do they illustrate the concept of complaining to God as an act of worship? [04:20]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the act of casting our anxieties on God, as mentioned in 1 Peter 5:7, demonstrate our trust in His care and involvement in our lives? [01:16]
2. What does Job's declaration in Job 13:15 teach us about maintaining hope and faith in God even when we don't understand His actions? [14:40]
3. In what ways does Habakkuk's response in Habakkuk 3:17-19 challenge us to find joy and strength in God during difficult times? [15:33]
4. How does the sermon illustrate the difference between complaining to God and complaining about God, and why is this distinction important in our spiritual lives? [07:55]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt disappointed or angry with God. How did you handle those feelings, and what might you do differently now, knowing that God welcomes our wrestling with Him? [00:12]
2. Consider the areas in your life where you feel out of control. How can you practice surrendering these areas to God, trusting in His sovereignty and love? [17:26]
3. Identify a promise from God that you need to remind yourself of this week. How can you incorporate this promise into your daily prayers and actions? [11:00]
4. Think about a situation where you have doubted God's wisdom. What steps can you take to express your trust in God's plan, even when it doesn't align with your understanding? [21:14]
5. How can you incorporate the practice of lament into your prayer life? What specific grievances or pains do you need to bring before God as an act of faith and worship? [02:09]
6. Reflect on the story of Jacob wrestling with God. What does it mean for you to "surrender to win" in your current struggles? How can this perspective change the way you approach challenges? [16:27]
7. In what ways can you remind yourself of God's character—His goodness, love, and justice—when facing life's challenges? How can this practice strengthen your faith? [09:04]
Devotional
Day 1: Wrestling with God as a Faithful Engagement
Wrestling with God is not a sign of disbelief but a profound act of faith. It demonstrates trust in God's care and love, as seen in the biblical practice of lament. Lamenting allows believers to express their pain and confusion to God, acknowledging His sovereignty and their dependence on Him. Figures like Job, David, and Jeremiah openly expressed their frustrations and fears to God, showing that this is not rebellion but a form of worship. By bringing our deepest concerns to God, we engage in a relationship that is honest and rooted in faith. [01:36]
Genesis 32:24-26 (ESV): "And Jacob was left alone. And a man wrestled with him until the breaking of the day. When the man saw that he did not prevail against Jacob, he touched his hip socket, and Jacob's hip was put out of joint as he wrestled with him. Then he said, 'Let me go, for the day has broken.' But Jacob said, 'I will not let you go unless you bless me.'"
Reflection: Think of a current struggle or disappointment you have with God. How can you express this to Him today as an act of faith and worship?
Day 2: Aligning with God's Nature
Appealing to God's nature involves reminding Him of His goodness, love, and justice. This act not only affirms our faith but also aligns our hearts with His promises. By focusing on God's unchanging character, we engage with Him in a powerful way, reflecting our trust in His nature. Biblical figures often appealed to God's nature during their struggles, demonstrating that this is a meaningful way to connect with God and seek His guidance and comfort. [09:04]
Psalm 86:15 (ESV): "But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness."
Reflection: In what ways can you remind yourself of God's character today, especially in areas where you feel uncertain or anxious?
Day 3: Trusting in God's Promises
Reminding God of His promises is an expression of our reliance on His faithfulness. Just as a child reminds a parent of a promise, we can remind God of His word, knowing that He is a loving Father who keeps His promises. This act of faith shows our trust in God's commitment to us and His desire to fulfill His word. By focusing on God's promises, we strengthen our relationship with Him and reinforce our hope in His faithfulness. [11:00]
2 Corinthians 1:20 (ESV): "For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory."
Reflection: Identify a specific promise from God that you need to hold onto today. How can you remind God of this promise in your prayers?
Day 4: Choosing to Trust in God's Plan
Expressing total trust in God involves choosing to believe in His goodness and plan, despite our circumstances. This trust is not based on our understanding but on our faith in God's character. The story of Jacob illustrates that true victory comes through surrendering to God. By giving up control and trusting in God's plan, we open ourselves to His blessing and presence in our lives. [14:00]
Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV): "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you struggle to trust God's plan? How can you actively choose to trust Him in this area today?
Day 5: Surrendering Control to Experience God's Presence
Surrendering control to God is the way to win a struggle with Him. Recognizing that we are not in control of life's greatest challenges allows us to depend on God, who is sovereign and loving. This surrender leads to experiencing God's blessing and presence in our lives. By letting go of our need to control, we invite God to work in our lives in ways that are beyond our understanding. [16:27]
Matthew 11:28-30 (ESV): "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."
Reflection: What is one specific area where you need to surrender control to God? What steps can you take today to begin this process of surrender?
Quotes
"Now you need to understand that the reason the only reason you can wrestle with God as I said is because God loves it and God loves you. God Is Not An apathetic God who just sets the word in motion and doesn't care about how you feel. He cares deeply about how you feel, and he loves you and he cares about you and he's sympathetic and he's not apathetic and he's not detached." [00:46:12]
"The very fact that God allows you to argue with him and it's all through the Bible examples of this is because God cares because God loves you. When I'm in a struggle with God when my prayers aren't being answered the first thing I do is this: number one, tell God what I think is unfair or painful." [00:96:28]
"Complaining about God is rebellion; complaining to God is an act of worship. Here's one named He-Man, H Psalm 88: my life is full of trouble and I'm nearly dead. This is a prayer to God. I'm like a man with no strength. You've taken my friends away from me and made them hate me." [04:01:20]
"Appealing to God's nature and when you read the Psalms, you read David and other people complaining to God and at the same time saying, but you're a good God and you're a loving God and God you're kind and God you're fair and I don't like what's going on but God you see everything." [08:36:27]
"God absolutely loves to be reminded of his promises. When my kids were little and they said, Daddy, would you take us to Disneyland? I say, oh sure I will, cuz I always say yes to everything and then I never get around to doing it. But Daddy, you promised. Daddy, you promised." [11:00:20]
"Jacob prayed, oh Lord of my grandfather Abraham and my father Isaac. Why is he doing this? He goes, look, you helped these people in the past, surely you got to help me. He says, the God of my grandfather Abraham, I'm God of my father Isaac. You told me to return to my land." [12:51:60]
"When you see David's Psalms, David almost every Psalm ends with no matter how much he's railed on God, he goes, but I'm still going to trust you God. I don't like this and I don't like that and that didn't turn out the way I wanted and that hasn't happened right." [14:00:36]
"Even though he talking about God though he slay me yet I will trust in him. He said, you know what, I don't have it all figured out. My brain isn't big enough to know why everything happens the way it does, but I tell you what, even if God kills me, I'm still going to trust him." [14:85:51]
"The way you win a fight with God is by surrendering cuz there's no way you're going to win it on your own power. The way you win a struggle with God is by surrendering. We're going to talk about that next week. I surrender all my unanswered questions and in return I get the blessing of God on my life." [16:43:79]
"The most dangerous disease you can have is the illusion that you're in control. You're not, and as long as you think you are, you're going to have one struggle after another. You're not in control of your marriage, you're not in control of your kids, you're not in control of the weather." [17:44:72]
"After you've wrestled with God, He blesses you, but he gives you a reminder to depend on him the rest of your life and you're going to walk with the limp the rest of your life. All of God's giants walk with the limp. Let's bow our heads before I pray." [19:91:52]
"God today I've realized that all my other struggles are really rooted in my struggle with you. I have doubted your wisdom and I have tried to play God and like Jacob I've tried to manipulate things to feel more secure and I realize that your blessing comes not from trying harder but in surrendering." [22:69:60]
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