God is truly all powerful. The creation of the universe, global catastrophes, and miraculous might are just the edges of His ways. It is remarkable to me how God has all authority and power, yet men can move Him through humble requests. Many times God stated His intention to do something, and when those who feared Him spoke with God He relented. God remained righteous and good, yet mountains were moved and inevitable judgment delayed by a simple request.
This morning I thought back to the time after Jacob left Laban's house as a wealthy man with many children. He heard Esau was coming to meet him with hundreds of men and he was concerned for the safety of his family and himself. That night the biblical account says he wrestled with a man until the breaking of day. This man and how they began to engage in the tussle is not explained in scripture. But reading on shows this "man" was much more than an ordinary man, for he simply touched Jacob and his hip was dislocated with an injury which caused him to limp for the remainder of his life.
Jacob refused to release his hold on the Man who Jacob came to realise was God in the flesh, an encounter with the pre-incarnate Christ. He would not let go until he received a blessing from the Man he wrestled with. Genesis 32:28-30 reads, "And He said, "Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel; for you have struggled with God and with men, and have prevailed." 29 Then Jacob asked, saying, "Tell me Your name, I pray." And He said, "Why is it that you ask about My name?" And He blessed him there. 30 And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: "For I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved." The Man changed Jacob's name to Israel and blessed him, and in a moment he went from "heel catcher" to "governed by God."
What is not mentioned in this passage is the manner of Jacob during the marathon wrestle through the night. We might think it was sheer grit, determination, or skill at wrestling which caused Jacob to prevail in a struggle with God. Hosea 12:3-5 says of Israel, "He took his brother by the heel in the womb, and in his strength he struggled with God.4 Yes, he struggled with the Angel and prevailed; He wept, and sought favour from Him. He found Him in Bethel, and there He spoke to us--5 that is, the LORD God of hosts. The LORD is His memorable name." Jacob struggled with God and prevailed not by physical might but his power with God was in weeping and making his request known to God in desperation. His faith was rewarded with God graciously bowing to his request. The God who moves mountains and can put a hip out of joint with a gentle touch can bless, transform a person from within, and alter an eternal destiny.
Those who have power with God do not do so by the power or might of the flesh but by the Holy Spirit who works in the lives of men. Tears are not a magic formula to having our requests granted, yet they can indicate a broken heart God delights to heal. Like a father who loves his children and supplies them with good things, God is pleased to hear and answer us. God has given to each a measure of faith and those who humble themselves before God in prayer believing have access and help in God's throne room of grace in time of need.
This morning I thought back to the time after Jacob left Laban's house as a wealthy man with many children. He heard Esau was coming to meet him with hundreds of men and he was concerned for the safety of his family and himself. That night the biblical account says he wrestled with a man until the breaking of day. This man and how they began to engage in the tussle is not explained in scripture. But reading on shows this "man" was much more than an ordinary man, for he simply touched Jacob and his hip was dislocated with an injury which caused him to limp for the remainder of his life.
Jacob refused to release his hold on the Man who Jacob came to realise was God in the flesh, an encounter with the pre-incarnate Christ. He would not let go until he received a blessing from the Man he wrestled with. Genesis 32:28-30 reads, "And He said, "Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel; for you have struggled with God and with men, and have prevailed." 29 Then Jacob asked, saying, "Tell me Your name, I pray." And He said, "Why is it that you ask about My name?" And He blessed him there. 30 And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: "For I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved." The Man changed Jacob's name to Israel and blessed him, and in a moment he went from "heel catcher" to "governed by God."
What is not mentioned in this passage is the manner of Jacob during the marathon wrestle through the night. We might think it was sheer grit, determination, or skill at wrestling which caused Jacob to prevail in a struggle with God. Hosea 12:3-5 says of Israel, "He took his brother by the heel in the womb, and in his strength he struggled with God.4 Yes, he struggled with the Angel and prevailed; He wept, and sought favour from Him. He found Him in Bethel, and there He spoke to us--5 that is, the LORD God of hosts. The LORD is His memorable name." Jacob struggled with God and prevailed not by physical might but his power with God was in weeping and making his request known to God in desperation. His faith was rewarded with God graciously bowing to his request. The God who moves mountains and can put a hip out of joint with a gentle touch can bless, transform a person from within, and alter an eternal destiny.
Those who have power with God do not do so by the power or might of the flesh but by the Holy Spirit who works in the lives of men. Tears are not a magic formula to having our requests granted, yet they can indicate a broken heart God delights to heal. Like a father who loves his children and supplies them with good things, God is pleased to hear and answer us. God has given to each a measure of faith and those who humble themselves before God in prayer believing have access and help in God's throne room of grace in time of need.
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