Wrestling with God

Genesis 32:2
And He said, "Let Me go, for the day breaks."
But he said, "I will not let You go unless You bless me!"

The Lord told Jacob, "Return to the land of your fathers and your family, and I will be with you." Throughout the journey God was faithful to Jacob. The road home was not easy, giving Jacob opportunities to turn back, questioning the Word of God. Instead Jacob continued to call on the Name of the Lord, praying for His guidance. Before meeting his brother, Esau, Jacob sent his entire family ahead of him. It is here we find Jacob wrestling with God.

What did God say?
      "Let Me go, for the day breaks." God is telling Jacob to let Him go.

Jacob's reply:
       "I will not let You go unless You bless me." Jacob is determined to be blessed by God.

After reading this portion of Scripture and realizing it is Jacob hanging on so tightly to God, I asked myself, "How willing am I to wrestle with God until He blesses me? How long will I sit at His feet, cry out in desperation, sit quietly before Him, or rest in His Word without growing faint, before I become discouraged and let go?"

This wrestling lasted throughout the night. God said to Jacob, "Let Me go for the dawn breaks." Morning was near, the night coming to an end.

         "Weeping may endure for a night,
           But joy comes in the morning."
                                         Psalm 30:5

Life can seem so hard when the night is near. The darkness only seems to magnify the heartache. God does not leave us without hope. He promises that we may weep in the night, in the dark places of our soul, but with God there will come a morning when the sun will shine again. As we continue crying out to Him He promises;

           "He has made all things beautiful in its time."
                                         Ecclesiastes 3:11

God blessed Jacob's persistence. He knew Jacob would not let go until He blessed him.

Once again I asked myself, "Where have I given up on ever receiving an answer from God? What has been a burden on my heart for so long it has become a way of life, with no hope for an answer?" Could it be I have begun wavering in my trust in God and His promises?

What about you? Is is a wayward child, a lost loved one, a diagnosis that looks impossible, a financial burden too heavy to bear, a difficult relationship? It is so hard to hang on tight to God, wrestle with Him until morning when the night seems so long.

It is when we are in this place we need to draw strength from God's promise;

           "Draw near to God and He will draw near to you."
                                          James 4:8

As we draw near to God we can be sure He hears our prayers and draws near to us. May we be like Jacob and cry out to the Lord, "I will not let You go until You bless me," and wait with great anticipation for how the Lord will answer our prayer.

Lord Jesus,
   Help me be as determined as  Jacob and not let go until You bless me.
                                           In Your precious name I pray,
                                                                     Amen