The original phrase balls-to-the-wall is an aviation idiom where pilots, in an effort to quickly accelerate and achieve maximum capacity, thrust the throttle lever (ball) to the panel (wall). In contemporary vernacular, the expression has adopted a similar meaning: to give an all-out or maximum effort. On day three of our seven-day reset, we will discuss occasions in our Christian walk where we will have to go balls-to-the-wall in order to see the changes we desire.
Moments of Desperation
Balls-to-the-wall instances are usually last-resort moments that result from desperation, anguish or an avidity to achieve an accomplishment. Individuals who face these circumstances are often desperate and are willing to leave everything on the table. In our Christian walk, there will be times in our lives when we need to approach our faith in such regards—balls to the wall! During our moments of despair, we need to press in as we declare our heart’s desires and boldly walk in the knowledge that our prayers have already been answered.
In Genesis, a man named Jacob wrestled with God, and he refused to let God go until God blessed him. Jacob was relentless. In fact, he had no choice but to go all out as he battled with God throughout the night until daybreak. It would have been impossible for him to jostle against God without giving the fight everything that he had.
Genesis 32:22-29
22 And he arose that night and took his two wives, his two female servants, and his eleven sons, and crossed over the ford of Jabbok. 23 He took them, sent them over the brook, and sent over what he had. 24 Then Jacob was left alone; and a Man wrestled with him until the breaking of day. 25 Now when He saw that He did not prevail against him, He touched the socket of his hip; and the socket of Jacob’s hip was out of joint as He wrestled with him. 26 And He said, “Let Me go, for the day breaks.”
But he said, “I will not let You go unless You bless me!”
27 So He said to him, “What is your name?”
He said, “Jacob.”
28 And He said, “Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but [d]Israel; for you have struggled with God and with men, and have prevailed.”
29 Then Jacob asked, saying, “Tell me Your name, I pray.”
And He said, “Why is it that you ask about My name?” And He blessed him there, (New International Bible, 1978/2011, Genesis 32:22-29).
Our Declaration
Like Jacob, we need to go all out—balls to the wall. We need to declare our beliefs, stand firm in our faith, and not leave the presence of God until He has blessed us with the answers to our prayers!
What are you believing in God for tonight? Are you willing to go balls to the wall for your prayer requests? If you are, get in your prayer closet. Fast! Pray! Do whatever you need to do. But whatever you do, give it all you’ve got, and like Jacob, don’t give up until God blesses you.
Read More from the Seven Day Reset Series
7 -Day Reset | Day 4: Gratitude
Citation:
New International Bible. (2011). The NIV Bible. https://www.thenivbible.com (Original work published 1978)