Daily D – Genesis 32:9-12
Genesis 32:9-12 Then Jacob said, “God of my father Abraham and God of my father Isaac, the Lord who said to me, ‘Go back to your land and to your family, and I will cause you to prosper,’ I am unworthy of all the kindness and faithfulness you have shown your servant. Indeed, I crossed over the Jordan with my staff, and now I have become two camps. Please rescue me from my brother Esau, for I am afraid of him; otherwise, he may come and attack me, the mothers, and their children. You have said, ‘I will cause you to prosper, and I will make your offspring like the sand of the sea, too numerous to be counted.’” (CSB)
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One of the best lessons from Jacob’s life is to wrestle with God in prayer before we wrestle with big red hairy adversaries.
Why is this important to you today?
Why do you wish you had considered this yesterday?
How will you turn this into a personal practice, an automatic habit going forward?
Yes, Jacob left this encounter with a limp. He never really got in a hurry to do anything after this. Maybe that’s another lesson. Never rush something essential. Never rush into anything without wrestling with God.
The only exercise some people get (Not you and me, of course) is wrestling with their consciences. Wrestling with God is a giant step forward in the right direction. Yes, you will always lose. Yes, you may limp for a long time. Yes, you will learn how to depend on God for what you cannot do for yourself. Yes, you could also get a new name, a new purpose, and a new destiny.
In this order of operations in Genesis 32, Jacob’s prayer comes after God provided the angels he said he would (verse 1), and before the wrestling match that led to his more sedate pace of life. Sometimes answered prayer feels a bit rough for a while.
Jacob reminded God of what he had said. He reminded God of his promises.
God reminded Jacob who was really in charge. God reminded Jacob not to get ahead of him.
Jacob lost the wrestling match he thought he had won. He discovered his wrestling coach could have dispatched him at any moment. Instead, he gave him two gifts. First, was the dependency upon God’s timing and pace in all things for the rest of his life. Second, was a new name to accompany his new destiny. Both his limp and his name would remind him of how up close and personal God can be, and is.
Pray like Jacob. Tell God what he promised.
Wrestle with God like Jacob. Don’t turn loose until he blesses you.
Trust God like Jacob to be with you in all things at all times, and to provide constant reminders of what he has done for you, is doing for you, and will do for you by his grace and in his timing.
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I will wrestle with God and enjoy the loss from which every other victory comes.
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Our Father, how do you need to break me so that I can be truly whole? How do you need to redirect my pace? How do you want to remind me of your amazing grace day by day? Be merciful to me, a sinner. Empower me to live and to lead with a limp of testimony to your purpose, your timing, and your new name representing who I will become as you shape me for significance. Amen.
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