February 27

Do not wrestle against God's Spirit. (Genesis 6:3) speaks of the Spirit as "striving" with man. This does not mean God is trying to overcome or destroy man. He could do that at a word, without any stir or scuffle. No, His striving is a loving contest with us. Seeing us run at such a gallop headlong to our ruin, He sends His Spirit to pull us back before we destroy ourselves. This is the same kind of strife you would witness if someone were attempting to take his own life and another intervened and struggled to take the weapon from him.

The lusts of men are those bloody instruments of death with which sinners are harming themselves. The Holy Spirit strives to get them out of our hands and replace them with Christ's grace and eternal life. When you repulse such loving strife, you are justly counted a fighter against Him. "Ye stiff-necked, and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost," said Stephen (Acts 7:51). Do not wrestle against God's providence.

Questioning God's acts, whether of mercy or justice, is called contending or reproving Him (Job 40:2). He is a bold man for sure who dares to name himself the plaintiff and God the defender. No! God is the Judge, and He will find you in contempt of court for bringing such false accusations against Him. Contend with the Almighty? Reprove God? You had better cry with Job: "I am vile; what shall I answer thee? I will lay mine hand upon my mouth" (Job 40:4). Hear his plea: "Only pardon what is past, and you shall hear such language no more!"

Christians, take heed of this wrestling above all other. Contention is always unfortunate-- whether with neighbors or friends, wife or husband-- but worst of all with God. If God cannot please you and your heart rises against Him, what hopes are there of your pleasing Him? Love cannot think any evil of God, nor endure to hear any evil spoken of Him.

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