While family members can build strong bonds of love, it is also possible to destroy those same relationships through misunderstandings, jealousy, or bitterness. The Old Testament patriarch Jacob was part of such a family. Because of a deception he perpetrated on his father and brother, Jacob spent many years alienated from his family (Genesis 32:24-32).
Returning home years later, Jacob recognized that meeting up with a still-resentful brother was more than likely. After making elaborate plans to move his family and acquired wealth for protect, Jacob rested alone before facing Esau.
During his solitary night, a strange man attacked and wrestled with Jacob. Evenly matched, the two men fought for hours until his opponent struck Jacob’s thigh, causing a permanent limp. Only a few hours earlier, Jacob had reminded Jehovah of His promise to build a great nation through his descendents (Genesis 32:9-12). Now, realizing the identify of his antagonist, Jacob begged for protection and deliverance from a possibly vengeful brother as well as a heavenly blessing.
Few of us are likely to experience such an encounter with God, but there are lessons to learn from Jacob’s confrontation.
Any true encounter with God is personal — you must meet Him alone. Corporate worship is beneficial, but every major life problem is one that must ultimately be addressed only between you and the Creator.
An encounter with God involves prolonged spiritual wrestling — while you may ask questions of God and challenge life circumstances, you must also allow Him to question and contradict your assumptions. Telling God what you want Him to say will not lead to peace.
An encounter with God means that you will win through losing. When his thigh was disabled, Jacob realized that the ultimate battle was not with his brother, but within himself. He discovered that both the battle AND the blessing can only be found in God — not through power or possessions.
Have you encountered God through similar times of deep soul-searching? Or do you, instead, only accept a limited version of Who He is? Be willing to wrestle your way through doubts to complete faith.
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