Bruce Collins, Evangelist

The personal website of Bruce Collins

Wrestling Matches
 
Then Jacob was left alone; and a Man wrestled with him until the breaking of day. (Genesis 32:24 NKJV)
 
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. (Ephesians 6:12 NKJV)
 
How Do We Know?
Jacob wrestled with God.  The Ephesians wrestled with wicked spirits.  How do we know which wrestling match we are personally engaged in?  How do we win the matches?
 
Wrestling with God
Pure and simply, we wrestle with God to obtain blessing.  Jacob had a name change, a diet change and a marked walk after his wrestling match.  He wrestled until he had confessed that his name was Jacob.  The last time he had been asked his name, He had said it was Esau.  It appears that to obtain the blessing, he had to confess his wrong (sin).  Really, confessing sin is difficult and sometimes we wrestle (make excuses and make problems for ourselves) when we could just as well confess to the Lord and to those we have harmed and be blessed.  Jacob wrestled until the break of day.  I think that means we will be wrestling with God for blessing until the Lord comes and takes His own home.  If you don’t believe that, go to our conferences and listen to the speakers as they wrestle with God for blessing and revival.  
 
Wrestling with Wicked Spirits
When we wrestle with wicked spirits, the usual contest involves our minds.  The fiery darts of the wicked one likely are doubts about God’s promises.  We need our hearts and our heads protected in this fight.  We have to face the enemy since there is no armor for our backs.  This fight can only be won by the sword of the spirit which is the word of God and by prayer.
 
In Ephesians 6: 10-18, we are standing during the wrestling match.  That is not the usual position of those who wrestle but perhaps if we relied more on the Lord and less on ourselves, we would be able to stand and be strong in the evil day that is mentioned in the passage.  Most Christians have days when their faith is tested.  But if we utilize the tools given to us, we can stand.  We can be victorious on the evil day.  Job was.  David was.  Esther was.  Daniel was.  Daniel’s three friends were.  The evil day will come when Satan tests and taunts, but if we just continue doing what is right, if we continue reminding ourselves of God’s promises, if we continue preaching the Gospel, If we continue praying, we will be able to stand strong.
 
The Lord, Our Example
Remember no person has had more to discourage them than the Lord.  All men forsook Him and fled.  He agonized in the Garden of Gethsemane.  He experienced rejection and pain and separation from His God.  But He was able to preach the Gospel while on the cross . . . the thief got saved and was promised paradise.  He talked to his God. . . that is, he prayed.  He continued doing good, providing for His mother.  He quoted scripture.  He was victorious since on the third day He was raised from the dead.  
 
If we are truly saved, that is true believers and not believers in name only, remember that nothing that Satan uses to discourage or test us can succeed since nothing can separate us from the love of God.  The Apostle Paul writes, “Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:37-39 NKJV).”  Even martyrdom releases us from this world where Satan goes around as a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour.  The Apostle Paul was convinced that going to be with the Lord was “far better” than life down here.  He says, “For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better (Philippians 1:23 NKJV).”  
 
Whether we are wrestling with God for blessing or whether we are wrestling with Satanic angels and principalities and powers, it seems to me that our blessing is found in being faithful, being confident of the Lord’s promises, and keeping our eye upon that which is eternal rather than on that which is temporary and earthly.  We may need to walk with a limp, we may need to change our spiritual diet but we need to remember that God has promised to bless those of us who trust Him with ETERNAL LIFE.  He has also changed our name from sinner to saint.  
 
Bruce Collins
 
Meditation for the week of September 4, 2022

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