Are You Wrestling with God?

Wrestling with God1

Scripture References: Genesis 32:24-31; Matthew 26:41

Jacob wrestled or debated with the man, knowing that he needed to do something that he wasn’t equipped to do. What’s significant is that this wasn’t a one-way interaction. Jacob and the man talked to each other. When you pray (talk to the Lord), do you also listen for His reply? The man didn’t walk away from Jacob and the Lord won’t walk away from you either. Also, Jacob didn’t walk away. He persevered to obtain what he was asking for.

In v26, we see the man telling Jacob to let him go. In other words, ‘agree with me, so that I can leave. We’ve been going over this all night. It’s late, let me go.’ When you pray, do you say a quick prayer and get up and walk away? Or do you pour out your heart before the Lord? 

Ephesians 6:18, “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;…”. “Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God …” (Philippians 4:6). We also see in v26 Jacob refusing to let the man go, until the man blesses him. In other words: Jacob is saying, ‘I won’t stop talking to you nor let you go, until you give me what I need to get the job done.’ What’s significant about v26 is that Jacob says that AFTER the man has already physically touched him (v25).

What can we learn from this passage of scripture? We learn that God touches us to give us what we need, and that we don’t always recognize that touch at that time. We keep wrestling or debating. We keep praying. And when (v26) we ask for a blessing, not having recognized the one He gave us by touching us (v25), He then (v28-29) changes our name and verbally blesses us.

Sometimes, in our weakness, we need to hear the words. God knows and understands that. Ask yourself the following questions while you take inventory of your life and your heart: Am I willing to do God’s will? Do I need to hear the words? Have I recognized or dismissed God’s personal touch on me and in my life? How has God blessed me?

One thing is for sure. After a close encounter with God (v31) you will never walk the same.

Be encouraged and stay blessed!

Share this article with others and subscribe to this website for automatic notification of new posts.

(This article was cross-posted from deborahldixon.com)

 

Published by

Dion

I journeyed from GED to a PhD in Psychology. I decided to focus on my writing once I retired from the clinical field. I write in various genres and have several WIPs for publication once edited. I post articles on this website for intellectual and entertainment purposes.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *