Life brings many challenges. It’s filled with twists and turns, rough and smooth places, much turbulence, mountains and valleys. There are always opportunities to gain a sharper focus and greater understanding; then pivot upward and forward.
So three individuals the Bible highlights to illustrate key aspects of their life’s journey were the patriarch Jacob, King David and apostle Peter. We can, therefore, learn much from the different opportunities they had and approaches they adopted to handle life’s challenges.
Looking into the Jacob Mirror: Wrestling with Our Humanity and Spirituality
Jacob’s life story, spanning Genesis 27-35, offers many opportunities for us to look in the mirror and relate to our challenges in life, specifically relating to two key aspects of life: our humanity and spirituality.
We first see him as the protagonist of a family froth in conflict over the issue of their earthly inheritance; a primary human issue. He then has an incredible spiritual experience: a very real dream in which he sees a ladder reaching from earth to heaven, with angels ascending and descending on it, and the Lord standing above it.
So Jacob and God have an interesting conversation. God makes a promise; then Jacob makes a vow. Consequently, Jacob then takes off and heads to his uncle Laban’s place to find a bride and then make a life.
Fast-forward through twenty years of struggles. We then see Jacob in the midst of another physical, yet spiritual encounter; wrestling with the Angel of God. There he experienced the challenge—and grace—of God’s presence. He consequently finds a new measure of strength. God engaged him in a physical battle to wrestle with more than his humanity. Hence Jacob knew he had been face to face with God. As a result, he was touched in a way that sparked a new phase of spiritual transformation.
Meditate for a moment. How do you handle the challenges of facing your fellow man—and God in the ring? Oh, that we should welcome coming face to face with God; engaging with God over the deep issues! Too often we avoid it…maybe fear it…perhaps run from it. I know at times I’ve done all the above. Through Jacob, though, we can learn how facing God over the deep issues sooner can help us pivot upward, forward and overcome—and save us years of pain and hardship later.
Befriending David: Our Bridge to a Dynamic Relationship with God
In David we see a bridge; beyond a ladder…a true golden gate to heaven…and new life. Whereas a focus of Jacob’s life was his father’s earthly inheritance and stuff, David sought the Kingdom of God first. Most of all, he knew his Heavenly Father was his source of inheritance and strength for life. So he earnestly sought the Lord in situations. Therefore, in dealing with his challenges, he made it his priority to spend quality time engaging face to face with God over the issues of life. Hear nuggets of his devotion:
O Lord, You are the portion of my inheritance and my cup; You maintain my lot.h
The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places; Yes, I have a good inheritance…
I have set the Lord always before me…
You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy…
(Psalm 16:5-11)
Talk about social sharing and doing life together! David shares with us his intimate dialogue and experiences with God. From fighting giants to kings and armies to his deepest emotions—we have opportunity to walk with the one known for being a man after God’s own heart; and get into his head and heart.
Who was David’s teacher and comforter? The Holy Spirit! David, like Jacob, wrestled plenty with the issues of his human nature. When confronting his deepest sins, though, David came to the source of his comfort, strength and wisdom. He knew where his help would come from.
Create in me a clean heart, O God,
And renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me away from Your presence,
And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.
(Psalm 51:10-11)
So to David, God was not a history subject; but a real-time friend, father and source of life. He was Lord. It’s for this reason the crowds welcomed Messiah Jesus as Son of David. He taught generations some things to look for in the Messiah…to know His way…to learn of Him. He can help us pivot upward and forward…pointing us in the way as well…to cross the bridge to new life in Messiah.
Walking with Peter: Experiencing Resurrection Life
A simple fisherman, Peter had his share of challenges. Yet he was transformed in the presence of Messiah Jesus. Although criticized for being “uneducated and untrained,” Peter certainly knew enough of the Hebrew Scriptures—the Law of Moses, Writings and Psalms and the Prophets—to quote them and see Messiah Jesus in them. So when the Holy Spirit was poured out on the Day of Shavuot/Pentecost, Peter received a “this is that” anointing. He therefore connected the dots of the Hebrew Scriptures and brought forth a message that resonated enough to bring healing and salvation to multitudes of souls.
The scriptures don’t report on the details or years of Peter’s life the way they do about Jacob or David. They don’t have to! Peter brings us to life with Messiah Jesus; pre and post resurrection! So we can learn much from being in the classroom—or in the boat—even in the boardroom—with Peter and Jesus. Peter learned the difference is being in His presence…walking with Him…being nurtured and strengthened by Him.
So in dealing with your humanity—let it go! Bury the old man. Every fragment. Be encouraged to put it behind you like Peter did. Receive the amazing grace of your Heavenly Father’s sweet forgiveness and love. Embrace and trust in Him and be an overcomer in the strength of the Holy Spirit. Receive daily His comfort and wisdom—His righteousness and justice, grace and truth—and His strength and power. Breathe in. Be immersed and refreshed in it. Reach higher. Go deeper. Cross over. Go beyond. Pivot. As you receive, be free to give it away.
REFLECT AND RELATE
What does the image and event of Jacob and the ladder mean to you?
How would you process that? What would you do?
What do you make of God’s vow to Jacob; and Jacob’s response?
What can David’s psalms teach you about engaging in relentless prayer with God?
How can you engage with Jesus as Peter did to experience new life in Christ?
REFERENCES
Genesis 28:10-22; Genesis 32:22-32; Psalm 20; Psalm 22; John 21