Readings for 8th Sunday after Pentecost, 8/3/14: Genesis 32:22-31, Psalm 17:1-7, 15, Romans 9:1-5, Matthew 14:13-21 Genesis 32:22-31: This is just a fantastic passage. We all wrestle with God, but there are lots of ways to go about it. Jacob's approach is great - Jacob wrestles, holds his own, and demands a blessing. OK, so it is God's messenger - but good enough. How do you wrestle with God? W hat are your names? W hat do t hey mean? W ho named you? Are you willing and able to ask God to bless you? Demand it even? "I have seen God face to face." Have you? When? Where? How? Psalm 17:1-7, 15: This psalm fits well with our passage from Genesis, because the psalmist is bold and demanding. The psalmist declares himself to be free from deceit, able to withstand testing, feet not slipping from God's path. Sometimes we need to be bold with God - not for God's sake, but for our sake. Fear of God's justice has its place, but confidence in our status
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