Most people like to think that they have it all together when it comes to knowing themselves and handling the ups and downs of life. They can even have God in their life and hand over their problems to Him in prayer. Eventually though, a situation can arise in a person's life when they finally come to the end of themselves and realise they are completely at God's mercy and cannot control all the events in their life.
As we continue journeying with Jacob, we see he has a very unusual and unexpected encounter with God that has quite a profound impact on him!
"Jacob got up in the middle of the night and took his wives, his eleven children, and everything he owned across to the other side of the Jabbok River for safety.
Afterwards, Jacob went back and spent the rest of the night alone. A man came and fought with Jacob until just before daybreak. When the man saw that he could not win, he struck Jacob on the hip and threw it out of joint. They kept on wrestling until the man said, "Let go of me! It's almost daylight."
"You can't go until you bless me," Jacob replied. Then the man asked, "What is your name?" "Jacob," he answered. The man said, "From now on, your name will no longer be Jacob. You will be called Israel, because you have wrestled with God and with men, and you have won."
Jacob said, "Now tell me your name." "Don't you know who I am?" he asked. And he blessed Jacob. Jacob said, "I have seen God face to face, and I am still alive." So he named the place Peniel. The sun was coming up as Jacob was leaving Peniel. He was limping because he had been struck on the hip, and the muscle on his hip joint had been injured. That's why even today the people of Israel don't eat the hip muscle of any animal."
Genesis 32:22-32 CEV
What an unusual experience for Jacob! Were you surprised to find that the 'Man' was indeed God? It seems that this intense wrestling match, initiated by God, went on for several hours. As the fight progressed, it seemed very unusual that God did not defeat Jacob as he surely could have right from the start. This reminds me that God can allow us to be in difficult or seemingly impossible situations —it is however, the very same God who delivers us from them! In this situation, God finally changed the nature of the struggle and Jacob ended up pleading with Him for a blessing.
It's interesting to remember that Jacob began the night dreading the imminent encounter with his brother Esau. He was taken from fear and desperation, through hours of wrestling, to finally receiving God's blessing and a renewed faith. Jacob had to come to the end of himself to be in a position to completely trust God in the situation he would soon face.
You might wonder why God did not simply speak to Jacob in a dream or vision as He had at other times or repeat His promises or perhaps just speak encouraging words! There are times when we want God's comfort and encouragement the easy way but He chooses to send it in unexpected and even unwanted packages. He knows what is best for us and God certainly knew Jacob very well!
God even afflicted Jacob with an obvious injury. Surely this may have made Jacob even more vulnerable to Esau! But God knew what He was doing — it forced Jacob to rely on God and not himself.
Finally, wrestling with God brought about a change in Jacob's identity —he would have a new name! No longer would he be known as one who received his blessing by deception. This time he received God's blessing by prevailing with God by faith. This struggle turned out to be a profound, gracious gift of restoration!
Whenever God calls us to wrestle with Him, there's always more going on than meets the eye! Our loving God always uses it to transform us for good!
Prayer:
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for loving me and for meeting me in my anxiety, fear and uncertainty. Help me to continue to trust You at all times, even in those times when You meet me in ways I don't expect!
Help me to remember this story of Jacob and the multiple blessings that came from wrestling with You. Thank You that You invite me to these places in my life, knowing just what I need! Thank You that You pour out Your blessings on me again and again! Transform me and make me into the person You need me to be, for Your glory,
In Jesus' Name,
Amen.
"For you are the fountain of life, the light by which we see."
Psalms 36:9 NLT
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Light and Life for Today
SpiritualA daily devotional for your time alone with God. In an increasingly dark world, more than ever, we need to look beyond what we can see, past our present circumstances. In order to see the light and experience life as our Heavenly Father intended, I...
