Wrestling with God

“Yes, he wrestled with the angel and won. He wept and pleaded for a blessing from him. There at Bethel he met God face to face, and God spoke to him—“ (Hosea 12:4 N.L.T)

Jacob was a highly intelligent and strong man and using these gifts he was able to wrest the birthright and father’s blessings from Saul. He also got his wives and livestock the same way. But he needed to learn that blessings are through the grace of God. He wrestled with the angel of the Lord the whole night, then with only a small touch by the angel, his hip was dislocated. He realized that anytime during the night it was not his strength but grace alone which enabled him to hold on. He held on all the more and wept and pleaded for blessings until his wish was granted.

Let us pray without ceasing: pleading in deep humility, weeping, fasting, and holding on to the promises of God.

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“When we are foiled, let us believe we shall overcome; when we have fallen, let us believe we shall rise again. Jacob, after he received a blow which made him lame, yet would not give over wrestling (Gen. 32:25) till he had obtained the blessing. So let us never give up, but, in our thoughts knit the beginning, progress and end together, and then we shall see ourselves in heaven out of the reach of all enemies.” Richard Sibbes

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