Wednesday's Two-Minute Takeaway - Fighting with God

Real problems bring real prayers. In Gen. 32:9-12 Jacob has a big decision to make.

He's facing a challenge in his life that doesn't reconcile with his understanding of God and God's will for him. We face the same challenges today, right?

Here's the thing, God knows more about our problems than we do and is usually way ahead of us if we'll look for him. In v. 1-2 God already showed Jacob He was with him.

When our problems grow one thing we can do is take them to God in prayer and even if we don't know exactly what to say, God does (Rom. 8:26-28).

But more prayer “reminding” God is a good starting place. Prayer puts our problems where they belong - on God’s plate not our own. But you have to decide to go to prayer this way.

Prayer moves your problems into the realm of “possible with God” because of the power and promises of God. In verses 9-12 Jacob wisely reminds God of some things and moves the problem back to God. He reminds God of His:

v. 9 Purposes: You told me to go home;
v. 10 Providence: last time we met here I only had a staff so you enriched me for a reason;
v. 11 Protection; deliver me, I'm afraid
v. 12 Promise: You said the land was mine and my seed... this is your problem now!

Let's Take the Message Home:

Look again at v. 9-12. What might you remind God about so that you can put your problems on His plate where they belong? Go through each of the four "P's" and give them to God.