Genesis 32:24 “So Jacob was left alone,
and a man wrestled with him until daybreak.”
Have you ever wrestled with God? Jacob is far from home, yet wanting desperately to come home. Years earlier, because of his lies, Jacob had to leave his home, and had never enjoyed the blessing he had received from his father. One night, Jacob finds himself alone, afraid for his life, and wrestling with God. Prideful Jacob, always able to buy his way or think his way or trick his way out of any situation, wrestles all night with a angel of God. Jacob refuses to let go saying, “I will not let go until you bless me!” The angel asks him, “What is your name?” By that one question, the Angel of God reminded Jacob about that day he lied about his name to his father and had stolen the blessing meant for his brother. The angel made Jacob remember the day he sinned. The angel forced Jacob to look and see himself as he really was – a con artist, a manipulator, a schemer, a deceiver. And seeing his sin, Jacob broke. Jacob surrendered his pride, his will, his self-reliance; Jacob surrendered control to God. Jacob couldn’t experience all the blessings God had for him as long as he relied on his strength and smarts. Now God could use him, and God would bless him. If you are wrestling with God, I hope you lose. It is then that you will find a brand new life.
– Virginia Thompson
and a man wrestled with him until daybreak.”
Have you ever wrestled with God? Jacob is far from home, yet wanting desperately to come home. Years earlier, because of his lies, Jacob had to leave his home, and had never enjoyed the blessing he had received from his father. One night, Jacob finds himself alone, afraid for his life, and wrestling with God. Prideful Jacob, always able to buy his way or think his way or trick his way out of any situation, wrestles all night with a angel of God. Jacob refuses to let go saying, “I will not let go until you bless me!” The angel asks him, “What is your name?” By that one question, the Angel of God reminded Jacob about that day he lied about his name to his father and had stolen the blessing meant for his brother. The angel made Jacob remember the day he sinned. The angel forced Jacob to look and see himself as he really was – a con artist, a manipulator, a schemer, a deceiver. And seeing his sin, Jacob broke. Jacob surrendered his pride, his will, his self-reliance; Jacob surrendered control to God. Jacob couldn’t experience all the blessings God had for him as long as he relied on his strength and smarts. Now God could use him, and God would bless him. If you are wrestling with God, I hope you lose. It is then that you will find a brand new life.
– Virginia Thompson