The God of Abraham and Isaac would become Jacob’s God too. HE WANTS TO BE YOUR GOD IN EVERY WAY TOO!
As a young man, Jacob did not understand that Isaac was speaking blessings over him by faith. Jacob thought that he had to cheat to get better promises for himself. In Genesis 32:22-31, we read how Jacob fought a fight with God to receive blessings. “The same night Jacob got up and took his two wives, his two maids, and his eleven children, and crossed the ford of the Jabbok. He took them and sent them across the stream, and likewise everything that he had. “Jacob was left alone; and a man wrestled with him until daybreak. When the man saw that he did not prevail against Jacob, he struck him on the hip socket; and Jacob’s hip was put out of joint as he wrestled with him. Then he said, “Let me go, for the day is breaking.” But Jacob said, “I WILL NOT LET YOU GO, UNLESS YOU BLESS ME.” So, he said to him, “What is your name?” And he said, “Jacob.” Then the man said, “You shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with humans, and have prevailed.” Then Jacob asked him, “Please tell me your name.” But he said, “Why is it that you ask my name?” And there he blessed him. So Jacob called the place Peniel, saying, “For I have seen God face to face, and yet my life is preserved.” The sun rose upon him as he passed Penuel, limping because of his hip. (NRSV)
This is a great example of persevering, FIGHTING faith, of wrestling with God, of not giving up. Sometimes we wrestle with ourselves, with others, also with God. We pray to God for healing, for work, for better finances, for our children, for answers to our needs, to aid us, to guide us, to bless us. We can also cry out like Jacob did, in faith, for God to help us!
Heavenly Father, thank You that You are the God who sees. You see me and You know my every need, better than I know them myself. You know every hair on my head and how long my days on earth will be. Please open my spiritual eyes to really see You by faith, to know and realize that You indeed have Your best in store for me. Help me to prevail like Jacob did. I submit to You by faith and trust You, that You will provide for my needs, restore me to health, and renew me in every area of my life to the glory and honour and praise to You and Your kingdom. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen
Myrtle Turunen