A Journey of Faith from Darkness to Light
Wrestling with God Learned from Dog Training
Today's culture is saturated with training by positive reinforcement only, a method that William Koehler warned against as early as the 60s, brought about through the heretic Dr. Spock. Spock taught it is better for parents to learn from their children and that children should never be disciplined. Two years ago, I found out that Bill Koehler was a Christian man.
To gain a dog's full attention, it takes three days of walking the four points of a 50-foot square followed by leading your canine into temptation on a 15-foot leash, and when they take the bate, do a roundabout as fast as you can, lifting them from the ground. The results are staggering attentiveness from your dog, and a dog has never been hurt in thousands of cases.
First The Test
"My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives." Hebrews 12:5, 6. Discipline is not like punishment for willful disobedience. Christians are imperfect at the time of rebirth in Christ; therefore, character changes are necessary. Such changes are what we call sanctification, which results from suffering, hardships, trials, and temptations when the Gospel is correctly applied.
From Genesis 32, we learn that when Jacob was about to meet his brother, who he left on terrible terms, and now was approaching with four hundred men, "Jacob was greatly afraid and distressed." Then he divided his camp into two parties in the hope that some could escape if necessary.
Then he prayed, "O God of my father Abraham and God of my father Isaac, O LORD who said to me, 'Return to your country and to your kindred, that I may do you good,' I am not worthy of the least of all the deeds of steadfast love and all the faithfulness that you have shown to your servant, for with only my staff I crossed this Jordan, and now I have become two camps. Please deliver me from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau, for I fear him, that he may come and attack me, the mothers with the children. But you said, 'I will surely do you good, and make your offspring as the sand of the sea, which cannot be numbered for multitude." Genesis 32:9-12
Second, A Father's Discipline
After praying, pleading, and what sounds like a mixture of faith and fear, he continued to plan his retreat and rescue. After sending gifts and offerings to his brother, he also sent his family. Then he entered a wrestling match with God throughout the night. Then God spoke, "Your name shall no longer be called Jacob (thief), but Israel (God contends, strives; derived from he will rule as God), for you have striven with God and with men, and have prevailed." Meaning: As a result of this wrestling match, God contended with the fleshly and worldly Jacob and made changes that turned him into a closer form of the one who will forever rule like God.
Third, An Eye-Opening Revelation
Some equate this event with wrestling in prayer, and there is much to support such a proposition. Jacob began in fear and trembling; his first prayer did little, if anything, to change that. But something happens in Jacob, "Then he (God) said, "Let me go, for the day has broken." But Jacob said, "I will not let you go unless you bless me." Think of Jacob's audacity. At some point, Jacob understood that he was wrestling with God. God said so, and so did Jacob. How did Jacob go from fearing man to the gall of saying to God, "I will not let you go unless you bless me?"
Remember, even as a man, God wrestled with Jacob and merely touched his thigh and put it out of joint. We know what the creator of all things could have done to him; Jacob had to consider this, but still, he used a phrase reminiscent of the devil, "I will not..." Incredible audacity!
However, God changes His name, pouring out His grace and fulfilling His promise. Jacob then asks a question of all questions. "Please tell me your name." But he said, "Why is it that you ask my name?" Ever wonder about His question? This question is to say, so now you want to know my name. I have blessed you all these years, and you know you didn't deserve any of it. How much have you sought me for me? How much have you sought to know me, my character, thoughts, desires, and will? You're still seeking my blessing, but are you pursuing me?
Make no mistake; God left Jacob with a parting present, a hip out of its socket, so he would continually consider his motives in seeking God. Is there any wonder that he said, "For I have seen God face to face, and yet my life has been delivered?" The Apostle Paul describes the process we are considering this way, "But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord." 2 Corinthians 3:18.
Candi's Rebellion
After two days of ignoring Candi on a 15-foot leash, going my own way without considering her, as she had previously treated me, she went into complete rebellion and tried to tear the leash from my hand. "For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God." Romans 8:20-21
Freedom is only and always the freedom to do right. The freedom from selfishness, self-centeredness, and rebellion to the creator and those to whom He delegates His authority is true freedom. The "freedom" to do wrong is slavery to sin. (Romans 6 to 8)
Candi's New Love and Direction
On the fourth day, every act of rebellion was met with a severe consequence. When she realized her rebellion to be highly costly, she became attentive to me, my desires, and my will. In the same way, God's children, who are born anew and from above but with sin's inclinations tugging them back from what they leave behind, are being disciplined. Hence, they learn to give increasing attention to Him who loved and died for them. Three and a half months of training will yield incredible results. Are you attentive to Jesus Christ, or do your natural inclinations often win your attention?
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