Wrestling with God
And Jacob was left alone. And a man wrestled with him until the breaking of the day … But Jacob said, “I will not let you go unless you bless me” (Gen 32:24, 26).
Jacob had lived his own life. He strove with his father Isaac, his twin brother Esau, and his father-in-law Laban. He wanted his own way of prosperity. He lived his own life.
But now, on his way back home, he was about to meet Esau, whom he tricked years ago. He feared Esau might attack him (32:11).
There is no record of him calling on God since he last prayed at Bethel (28:20). Here, he prayed to God for help (v 12). All those years he depended on his own strength. He walked in his own flesh.
But that night, while alone, he met the Angel of the Lord (Hos 12:4).
God had been trying to get his attention, but he simply ignored Him. Now, he needed God so desperately that he wrestled with Him and asked for His blessing, despite having prospered. He realized he needed God in his life. He needed God to be his Lord. He would live God’s way. God heard his prayer and blessed him there.
Perhaps you are like Jacob.
You have been living your own life. God is absent in your life. You have not fully surrendered to God.
But there comes a point in your life when God manages to get your attention.
You are at life’s end.
In the past, God wrestled with you. Now, you wrestle with God. And plead for His ways.
Let’s give our lives to Him. To do His will and walk in His ways. For we find our lives only when we lose them for Christ.