Wrestling Before God

And he arose that night and took his two wives, his two female servants, and his eleven sons, and crossed over the ford of Jabbok. He took them, sent them over the brook, and sent over what he had. Then Jacob was left alone; and a Man wrestled with him until the breaking of day. (Genesis 32:22-23)

Jacob wrestled with God, just as he had been wrestling with every person and situation life had ever presented to him. He was a “born fighter,” even struggling with his brother Esau in the womb of his mother, striving to be born first. Then, He wrestled with Esau for the family birthright and Isaac’s blessing. He wrestled with Laban for Rachel and a living for 21 years. Now, Jacob was anticipating yet another struggle with Esau. 

 

Fighting is all Jacob had ever done, but he did not realize he was only fighting himself. It would be quite a few more years before he would learn to fight the Lord's battles.

 

At some point, we are all like Jacob — fighting and arguing with flesh and blood, moving from controversy to controversy, all the while forgetting to let the Lord choose our battles and fight for us. Jacob plotted and lied for the things God would have given him if he waited and worshiped. We, too, must learn to wait and worship.

 

We, like Jacob, must learn to fight the good fight, where the only cause is Christ and the only enemy is sin. That is where we learn to wrestle before God, not with Him and not with men. Help us, Father!

 

Let's Pray - Lord, teach me to agree with you at every turn. I must learn to wrestle before You, not against You or Your will for me. In Jesus, Amen.