Genesis 32:26 “Jacob replied, ‘I will not let go unless you bless me.’”
I sometimes wonder how many blessings I might have missed out on because I let go too soon and didn’t fight long enough. Jacob fought with God, and picked up a limp in the process, but it was worth it for the incomparable blessing he received.
We go through different stages in our lives. There are times when I’ve been both hungrier and less hungry for God than right now – that’s the nature of an undulating journey. But today I want to invite you to step inside the circle. You can’t do it in a few minutes like one of these daily devotionals. That would be undervaluing the experience. This is an invitation to encounter God in unspeakable intimacy and power. What do I mean by stepping inside the circle? Read on:
This man was born in a gypsy tent, of humble origins, and yet ended up being invited to the White House by two presidents. Rodney ‘Gypsy’ Smith came into the world in 1860 in Epping Forest, just outside London. Forty five times he crossed the Atlantic to preach the gospel to millions of people on both sides. His passion was almost unparalleled, and there was great fruit in what he did. What was his secret? Private prayer. His praying was even more powerful than his preaching.
A delegation once came to him to enquire how they might experience personal and mass revival as he had. They wanted to be used the way Gypsy was. Without hesitating, he said: “Go home. Lock yourself in your room. Kneel down in the middle of the floor, and with a piece of chalk draw a circle round yourself. There, on your knees, pray fervently and brokenly that God would start a revival within that chalk circle.”
Too busy? Too dry? Too battered? Too sinful? He’s heard all the excuses and is still inviting you. Step inside!
Lord, this is so much more than a one-line prayer…
Leave a Reply