Listen to Devotion

Jacob called the place Peniel, saying, “It is because I saw God face to face, and yet my life was spared.”

“And the winner is…” When the referee dramatically raises the winner’s hand and confetti falls from the ceiling, sheer joy (and sometimes a certain amount of surprise) beams from the face of the victor.

Jacob could not believe it. He had just spent the night wrestling with God. And he lived to talk about it. Think about that. Seeing God face-to-face should mean death. Sinners cannot survive in the blazing holiness of the Almighty. When the Old Testament prophet Isaiah saw a glimpse of the Lord, he cried out, “Woe to me! I am ruined!” (Isaiah 6:5). When one of Jesus’ disciples, Peter, realized who Jesus truly was, he fell to his knees and begged, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” (Luke 5:8).

Jacob knew the same truth. A deceiver like him didn’t deserve to walk away from an encounter with God. But that’s the wonder of God’s grace and mercy: Jacob lived. He lived because God was not there to destroy him but to bless him. That’s the story of the whole Bible. Over and over, sinners stand face to face with God—and instead of condemnation, they receive mercy. Again and again, God meets sinners face to face, not with wrath but with love.

How is that possible? Because when Jesus went to the cross with our sins on his shoulders, his Father turned his face away from Jesus so that he could turn his face in favor to us. Jesus suffered God’s wrath and justice, so that one day, you will stand before God in all his glory. You will not be afraid. You will not be consumed. You will look into the face of your Savior and live.

So today, remember Peniel. Remember Jacob’s wonder because it’s your wonder. In Christ, you will see God face-to-face, and your life will be spared.

Lord, like Jacob, I don’t deserve to see your face. Yet in Jesus, you show me mercy. Thank you that in him I live, now and forever. Keep me clinging to your grace until the day I see you in glory. Amen.

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

Listen to Devotion

Then the man said, “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with humans and have overcome. Jacob said, “Please tell me your name.” But he replied, “Why do you ask my name?” Then he blessed him there.”

If you’ve ever wrestled with a little child, you know the routine. They’re giggling, grunting, straining, giving it all they’ve got. And what do you do? You play along for a while, and you let them win. Not because they’re stronger, but because you love them.

That was Jacob’s night. He struggled with God and “overcame.” How? Not because he overpowered the Almighty, but because God let him win. God stooped down, allowed Jacob’s faith to cling, and then he was delighted to bless him.

That’s how our heavenly Father treats us. He loves it when we hold him to his promises. He loves it when we wrestle in faith. And in the end, he lets us win, not because we’re stronger, but because Christ has already overcome for us.

At the cross, Jesus looked like he had lost as he was pinned down by nails, mocked, and beaten. But in that defeat came victory. Sin was paid in full. The devil’s head was crushed. And Easter Sunday, when Jesus walked away from the tomb, the last enemy of death was defeated. Because he overcame sin, death, and the devil, we too will overcome.

So, when you wrestle with God in prayer, when you cling to his Word, know this: your Father delights in you. He’s the God who lets you win and blesses you.

Father, keep me clinging to your promises and resting in Christ’s victory. Amen.

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

Listen to Devotion

The man asked him, “What is your name?” “Jacob,” he answered. Then the man said, “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with humans and have overcome.”

The Undertaker. Macho Man. Stone Cold. For years, professional wrestlers have adopted nicknames as a way to instill fear in their opponents. But not all names are intimidating or positive. Sometimes, names are embarrassing. Sometimes, names sting.

Jacob knew that sting. His name literally meant “heel-grabber,” or “deceiver.” Someone who trips you up. And he lived up to his name by tricking his dad, swindling his brother, and hustling his uncle. When his wrestling opponent asked, “What is your name?” Jacob must have been just a little bit embarrassed. His name basically was a confession.

But after that long night of wrestling, God gave him a new name: Israel—which means “he struggles with God.” That was more than a label. It was a brand-new identity. No longer defined by his past, God now defined his bright future.

That’s your story too. We walk into baptism carrying names like “Sinner” “Lost,” or “Hopeless.” But we walk out of baptism with a new name: “Child of God.” Just like an infant doesn’t choose its name, neither do we choose this name. It’s a name given to us by our Lord.

Of course, the old names try to stick around. When we sin, Satan whispers, “You’re still Sinner, Lost, Hopeless.” But the cross of Jesus thunders louder, “You are forgiven. You are redeemed, because I bought you with my blood. You are mine.” Because of Jesus, your name is no longer “Condemned,” but “Beloved.” As such, you are now equipped to wrestle through the challenges of life under a new name, knowing that victory awaits.

Father, thank you for giving me a new name in Christ. Help me live in that identity every day, even when my past tries to pull me back. Amen.

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

Listen to Devotion

When the man saw that he could not overpower him, he touched the socket of Jacob’s hip so that his hip was wrenched as he wrestled with the man. Then the man said, “Let me go, for it is daybreak.” But Jacob replied, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.”

Have you ever felt like you were praying and nothing was happening? Like your words were bouncing off the ceiling? Jacob knew that feeling. All night, he wrestled with God, but he refused to let go until the blessing came. That’s a picture of prayer—not just tossing wishes into the air but hanging on to God’s promises and refusing to let go.

It’s not that Jacob outwitted, outplayed, or outlasted God. Jacob didn’t “win” by being stronger than God. Just one touch on his hip showed how weak Jacob really was. But God wanted Jacob to keep clinging. To keep asking. To keep holding on.

That’s not just a lesson or invitation to Jacob. Jesus told stories of persistent widows and midnight doorknockers. “Pray continually” may be the shortest verse of the Bible, but it takes the longest to fulfill. God doesn’t need to be nagged to listen, but persistence shows faith—faith that refuses to let go of his promises.

And you know why we can pray with such boldness and persistence? Because Jesus did it for us. As he walked on this earth, we consistently see him go off by himself to pray. On the night before he died, his sweat was like drops of blood as he wrestled in prayer in a garden. On the cross, he prayed for your forgiveness. He won access for us to our heavenly Father. Because of Jesus, every prayer we whisper is heard by the Father.

So don’t let go. Wrestle with God with persistence. Even if the answer feels delayed, the blessing will come.

Lord, thank you for the gift of prayer. Teach me to cling to your promises, even when answers seem slow. Strengthen my faith to trust your timing. Amen.

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

Listen to Devotion

That night Jacob got up and took his two wives, his two female servants and his eleven sons and crossed the ford of the Jabbok. After he had sent them across the stream, he sent over all his possessions. So Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him till daybreak.

Have you ever wrestled with someone stronger than you? Maybe your dad or an older brother. You give it your all, but you know deep down—they could finish you off anytime.

That’s Jacob’s story. He’s about to meet Esau, the brother he cheated years ago. After hearing that Esau is coming to meet him with four hundred men, Jacob is terrified. And tonight, he’s alone. Until—out of the dark—someone grabs him. Leg sweeps. Punches. Twists. Holds. They grapple all night. Not until daybreak did Jacob realize he wasn’t wrestling with a man—he was wrestling with God.

That’s how God often works. Jacob had a rather successful life, but for much of it, he relied on his own strength and schemes. But when he was weak, that’s when God came and wrestled with him. When life blindsides us with sickness or stress, it’s not always a bad thing. When we’re the weakest, that is often the best opportunity to wrestle with God. He comes into our weakness, and he doesn’t finish us off. Rather, he lets us cling to him.

Not only does God come to us when we face weakness, but he chose to become weak for us. Whether it was in the manger at his birth or on the cross at his death, Jesus looked anything but strong. The fact that he was conceived, born, suffered, died, and buried shows just how far he was willing to go so that we might grab onto him. So don’t let go. Wrestle with God in your weakness, whatever it is, and be reminded of his willingness to become weak for us. For in him, and only in him, will we find strength, forgiveness, and life.

Lord, thank you for meeting me in my weakness. Teach me to cling to you when my strength is gone. In Jesus, I know I am blessed. Amen.

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

Listen to Devotion

Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him till daybreak. When the man saw that he could not overpower him, he touched the socket of Jacob’s hip so that his hip was wrenched as he wrestled with the man. Then the man said, “Let me go, for it is daybreak.” But Jacob replied, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” The man asked him, “What is your name?” “Jacob,” he answered. Then the man said, “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with humans and have overcome.”

God doesn’t always give us what we want, at least not right away. Have you noticed this? We pray and pray and pray for something, but there seems to be no answer. Sometimes we become discouraged or angry with God for not listening. We might even conclude that God doesn’t love us.

To accuse God of not loving us is a sin of the highest order. God is love. He showed that love when he sent his Son to die on a cross as payment for our sins. God’s love for us is greater than any other love we could imagine.

So, why doesn’t God give us what we want when we want it? Sometimes, he gives us the opportunity to exercise our faith by being persistent in prayer. Wrestling with God in prayer is a way of demonstrating that we trust he will do what’s best for us, in his own time and in his own way.

We may never wrestle God physically the way Jacob did in this unusual story from the Bible, but we do wrestle with God spiritually in our prayers. Like Jacob, be bold and persistent in asking God for his blessings. Then, trust that the God of love will answer in whatever way is best for you.

Heavenly Father, give me the faith to trust you completely. Amen.

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

Listen to Devotion

Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!

In this chapter of the Bible, the apostle Paul addresses the important matter of Christian giving. He teaches that God-pleasing offerings flow out of a willing heart in response to God’s rich blessings and unfailing providence.

In grand conclusion to his instruction and encouragement about offerings, the apostle proclaims, “Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!” God gave to us first, and he gave us the best. In his great love for us, he sent Jesus to be the sacrifice for our sins. Through Jesus, God gives us the peace of free and full forgiveness. By the sacrificial death and victorious resurrection of his Son, death is defeated, and the way to heaven is open. A blessed life with God now and forever is ours by faith in Jesus. Jesus is everything for us. Praise God!

This is the essential reason for all that we do, including giving generous offerings, that God be praised. Yes, we give offerings for expenses at church and to help in the mission efforts of the church at large. We often hear about the needs and the opportunities. But the fundamental reason we give our offerings is not to balance the church budget or start a mission congregation or send a missionary. We give to praise God and thank him for all that he gives us. We must guard against only viewing offerings for what they will provide and buy. Our offerings, first and foremost, are a tangible way for us to honor God who has blessed us with the indescribable gift of his Son. With our eyes and hearts focused on the cross of Jesus and the gift of salvation, it is a joy to give offerings to our great God.

Lord, fill me with the joy of salvation that I may joyfully respond with generous offerings to honor you. Amen.

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

Listen to Devotion

You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God.

You didn’t do anything special, you certainly didn’t deserve it, but someone generously gave of their time or gave a gift far greater than you could have imagined. The giver of the gift had no intention of receiving anything in return. It was pure generosity. That kind of generosity can be contagious. If you’ve been the recipient of such a generous gift and truly appreciate it, you can’t help but mimic that generosity.

Consider God’s generosity. Even if one does not recognize it, all that a person has is from God’s hand. God may even bless you with more than what you truly need. Even if one does not realize that Jesus gave up the riches of his heavenly throne and became poor for you to become rich in God’s mercy. However, when we do realize this and, in faith, receive this incredible gift of God’s grace, we can’t help but let it overflow to others. That kind of generosity is contagious.

A Christian church in the ancient city of Corinth, in response to God’s generous gift of salvation, was collecting a monetary gift for others in need hundreds of miles away. When they heard of other congregations also giving a gift of support, they too wanted to join in. In doing so, not only did they meet a real need, but their generosity spilled over into praise and thanks to God. It inspired others to be generous. The kind of generosity that ultimately comes from God is contagious.

First, receive God’s generosity as the gift it truly is. Be blown away by the over-the-top gift that God has given through Jesus and let it spread. Let it overflow. If you have possessions to share with others in need, if you have time to give to someone who needs a listening ear, if you have skills to share, whatever you have, it’s from the Lord. Share it to his glory!

Lord, thank you for every gracious gift you’ve given. Let that generosity overflow in my life in thanksgiving to you. Amen.

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

Listen to Devotion

Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?” Then he said to him, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.”

What Jesus did for the ten men by healing their leprosy didn’t last forever. Over time, their bodies got old, they got weaker, then they died, and their bodies decomposed. So, while their physical healing was a great gift, it didn’t last forever.

But one leper saw in Jesus more than a physical healer. He saw him for who he really was—the saver of souls. He fell at his feet to thank and worship him as the true God. He believed that Jesus could do even more than cleanse him of his leprosy. So, Jesus said, “Rise and go, your faith has made you well.” He wasn’t just talking about the man’s leprosy. Luke used the word “cleanse” to describe what happened to all ten. They were outwardly cleansed from leprosy. But when Jesus said to the one “your faith has made you well,” the word he used is literally “save.” That man had faith in Jesus as Savior, and he was saved.

What Jesus did for his body was great. What he did for his soul was even greater. He saved his body from pain and discomfort for a time; he saved his soul from death for eternity. He took away his leprosy so he could be accepted by society again, for a time; Jesus took away his sin, and he was accepted by God, for eternity.

You can be sure that God has done the very same for you, because he has done this for the world. By Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection, he took away the sins of the world, including yours. Through faith, he makes that forgiveness your forgiveness. He may bless you physically on this earth for a time. But he has, without a doubt, saved your soul for eternity. He may bless you with the good company of friends and family, for a time. Without a doubt, he has taken away your sin so that you have a right relationship with God, for eternity. We are eternally thankful for this eternal gift!

Lord, may I forever praise you in this life and the next. Amen.

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

Listen to Devotion

One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan. Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine?”

It’s one of the earliest lessons we learn in life: “Don’t forget to say thank you!” Where were the manners of the nine men who had been healed by Jesus but did not return to thank him? Didn’t their mothers ever teach them to say thank you?

What was missing from those nine men? It was more than just words of thanks missing from their lips. Faith was missing from their hearts. They saw Jesus as someone special and powerful; otherwise, they wouldn’t have called out to him in desperation. But comfort and healing for their skin was all they wanted.

We are very thankful for physical blessings that come from God. We may pray for God to heal us from illness, and we thank him profusely when he does. However, when we limit our requests to things only for the body and thank him only when we receive what is tangible and temporary, something’s missing. If the only reason we can sleep in peace at night is because we’re materially blessed, then we’re missing something. If the only reason I am thankful is because I have my basic needs and good health, then I’m missing something.

Thank God, with a sincere heart, that Jesus gives us all that was ever missing. He so generously gives comfort that lasts eternally because he has healed us of sin’s curse and condemnation. He makes us clean so we, covered by his grace, can be at peace with God. This moves us not just to say, “thank you,” but to live a life of thanks for all our Savior has done.

Thank you, Lord, for healing me of sin and death and giving me blessings beyond this life. Amen.

Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.