Experiencing God's Presence #286

Then the man said, “Let me go, for the dawn is breaking!” But Jacob said, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.”

Genesis 32:26

Some people see surrender as the purpose of Jacob’s wrestling match with God—that Jacob had to come to the end of himself and submit to God’s lordship. But there seems to be no surrender in this episode, or even a need for it. Jacob had already arrived at the end of himself, unable to face his brother in his own strength and willfulness. No, the “man” who wrestled with Jacob “saw that he would not win the match” (Genesis 32:25), and Jacob refused to let go until he was blessed. And God gave him a new name because he had “fought with God and with men and [had] won” (Genesis 32:28)—even on his back. No, this wasn’t about surrender; this was about contending with God and knowing His heart even in the intensity of a battle.

God honors spiritual tenacity. His Presence can provoke turmoil within you for a time, but those who press through the struggles and hang on to faith in Him will be blessed. God has many sides to His face, and sometimes He seems to show a harsh one. But what do you really see—a harsh face or a tender heart? Whichever you see more clearly determines whether you can endure being on your back for a while, as well as what blessing you see at the dawning of the next day. Only the tenacious hold on to God in the midst of a wrestling match with Him and the relentless issues of life.

Hold on. Go ahead and wrestle; God doesn’t mind. But if you’ve been put flat on your back, keep holding on anyway. Stay in close contact with God, no matter how intense, and see into His heart. He wants to bless. He’s waiting for the dawn. And He wants you to wait for it too.

Lord, may I be as bold as Jacob. I won’t let you go until You bless me. And even then, I’ll cling to You forever.

From the book