Clinging to Jesus by Faith

I was blessed to consider the Man who wrestled with Jacob until the breaking of the day.  This Man who met Jacob was the aggressor, seeking to make Jacob submit and tap out.  On and on they wrestled as Jacob tried in vain to escape the Man's grasp.  The prophet spoke of the irony of Jacob who grabbed the heel of his brother in the womb was suddenly grabbed by the Angel of the LORD in Hosea 12:3-5:  "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 had been met by God in a vision at the house of God, and then Elohim wrestled with Jacob in God's camp.  When day began to break the Man touched Jacob's thigh and dislocated his hip.  Jacob's tactics changed at that moment, for instead of trying to escape he refused to let go until he was blessed.  He realised when he looked into the face of the Man when dawn began to break, he was looking into the eyes of the God of his fathers, eyes that are able to perceive all things.  It was apparent the Man Jacob clung to could not be held unless He wanted to be, and God blessed Jacob there and gave him the new name of Israel.  God desires to be grasped so He can bless and make His strength perfect in our weakness.

After Jesus rose from the dead John 20:17 reads, "Jesus said to her, "Do not cling to Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, 'I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God.'"  In great physical pain Jacob clung to the LORD for a blessing, and since Jesus has gone to the Father those who trust Him are thus enabled to cling to Him in faith.  Jesus told His disciples it was for their advantage He would leave them because the Holy Spirit would be sent to comfort, teach and help them.  The Holy Spirit Who regenerates us empowers us to serve God faithfully as witnesses of Jesus.  It is through surrender to Jesus we are made more than conquerors through Him who loves us and purchased us with His own blood.

Abide in Christ, believer, and cling to Him in faith even in your greatest pain.  Without doubt you will discover blessing in Jesus not found or obtained elsewhere, not by our efforts, but according to the riches of His grace.