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Principles
1 Thessalonians 5:19-21
1 Timothy 1:18 - "Based on the prophetic words spoken about you earlier. May they give you the confidence to fight well in the Lord's battles."
We sometimes have to battle through, and hold on, to apprehend the fulfillment
of the promise.
Prophetic Promise
The prayer of Jabez was prophesied (I didn't pray it) to me in Bombay India on April 4/10/96.
1 Chronicles 4:10 - "Oh, that you would bless me and extend my territory! Please be with me in all that I do, and keep me from trouble and pain!" And God granted him his request."
Wow, was that a sign? The prophecy was the same verse number as the date I received it! However, what followed were many battles including cancer, and then vertigo… among the other struggles of life.
Principle
There is often a struggle in the process before we see
the promise fulfilled.
Process
"Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling."
(Philippians 2:12)
Promise to Jacob
Genesis 32:12 - Jacob speaking, "God you promised to treat me kindly and to multiply my descendants."
Jacob had been given a promise and he was willing to contend and wrestle for it; even with God.
Hosea 12:3-4 - "Jacob struggled with God, Yes he struggled and wrestled with the Angel and won; He wept and sought favor and a blessing from Him."
Genesis 32:26 - Jacob had resolve: "I will not let you go, until you bless me."
Principle
"Hold on to what is good!"
He knows God had willed to bless him and Jacob will settle for nothing less than his full inheritance.
Words that would apply here, perseverance, endurance, persistance, and of course, prayer.
Provision
Philippians 2:13 - "For God is working in you, giving you the desire to obey Him, and the power to do what pleases Him."
Note that one of the goals is to be a "Father pleaser."
In the struggles we are being prepared to receive the promise.
Hosea 12:6 - "Wait on your God continually…." This often requires patience.
Like Jacob we struggle, wrestle with God, an angel, (sometimes a dark angel) and man, to obtain the promise.
More often than not, the problems are not with God but man.
But He gives you the power to prevail.
Genesis 32:28 - (Jacob) "You have struggled with God and with men..."
"Struggle" in Hebrew is the root of the name of Israel.
Corporately as the Church we are "the Israel of God." (Galatians 6.16) And we need to press through to God's promises for His people.
God's promises and struggles are not only individual, they are corporate. One person is not an army.
You are not alone. We are in the battle together.
Promise Fulfilled
Genesis 32:28 - Jacob "You have struggled with God and with men and have prevailed."
Hosea 12:4 - "There at Bethel he met God face to face, and God spoke to him."
We wait on God, endure, persevere, and eventually overcome.
Hebrews 10.36 - "You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised."
Result, we find God, He speaks to us. We obtain His favor and His blessing.
Galatians 6:9 - "In the proper time we will reap a harvest
if we
do not give up."
Galatians 3.14 - "We receive the promise…through faith."
Philippians 3.14 - "I press on toward the goal to win the prize."
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