Wrestling With God

Genesis 32:24”Then Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him until daybreak.”

INTRO: I was stuck with the above scripture for several hours, I just couldn’t move, during the reading of this portion, I was going through certain deep trials in my own life, after two decades of ministry, that were breaking me, I was clueless as to what was happening. Nevertheless, through the above scripture God spoke several hours to me which I would be sharing with you today. The Old testament is certainly titillating with thrilling journey of saints which provide us multidimensional lessons, the one that we are going to meditate today is Jacob. Complicated, messed-up lives of saints are awesomely transformed by God for His use. YOUR SUFFERINGS TURN TO A “SOUVENIR” THAT REMIND YOU OF THE POIGNANT MOMENTS THAT TRANSFORMED YOUR LIFE! Hallelujah!

It is during this encounter that Jacob gets his name changed and through that the people of God are called ISRAEL. Huge transformation takes place, significant things do not happen without huge sufferings, are you listening? If you are envisioning for a big church building, building for the homeless, Bible college, a big dream project with God in all what I mentioned, then it comes with a package of trials, delays and pain. No escape.

STRATEGY OF SATAN TO SCARE YOU:

Chapter 32 opens with Jacob’s encounter with angels, verse 1 says: “the angels of God met him”, after 20 years of wandering, he was now returning to God’s plan for his life. However in verse 6 we read about his encounter with a messenger who said:, "We came to your brother Esau, and furthermore he is coming to meet you, and four hundred men are with him." After we encounter angels be sure now that the devil will plan to send his agent to you in order thwart God’s plan for your life. Are you listening? Just when you think “ now things are settled’ and you prepare to sit in the couch relaxed with a glass of juice - there comes another jolt. Jacob felt the same way, look at the intimidating words of the messenger - four hundred men are with him!!!

Jacob at that moment failed to remember that ‘the One who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world (1 John 4:4). Hallelujah! His eyes were blurred with fear , anxiety and doubts! The devil already knew what words to use to scare and torment you, he picks and chooses words to paralyze you. It is crucial that we remember the promises of God and hold on to it when the enemy comes like a flood to destroy you. Jacob said: verse 12 "For You said, 'I will surely prosper you and make your descendants as the sand of the sea, which is too great to be numbered.'"

GO TO GOD:

Though Jacob planned million things to ‘appease’ his brother Esau by dividing his huge household into two camps and by arranging gifts for him; however, Jacob goes to God, he prayed: 11 "Deliver me, I pray, from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau; for I fear him, that he will come and attack me and the mothers with the children.” Imagine, how sad it is to be chased by your own brother, even after 20 years things haven’t changed. Conflicts within the family is very painful; however, stay calm God would clear the puzzle.

Jacob eventually knew that his muscle power, astute brains, being shrewd and sharp would take him nowhere, he surrendered to God and said: Deliver me! There are times in my life when things get too tough, when I am unable to swim anymore, I would lift my hands up and say, ‘now I give up, Dad help me, remember the day I walked out of the multinational bank without a penny in my pocket , with two kids on my shoulders to serve you. I gave up my own apartment and everything in order to serve you, now daddy where would I go but you.’ After this kind of prayer I always received a hug from God. Hallelujah! I am speaking to someone out there, trust Him wholeheartedly!

I AM NOT WORTHY:

Jacob did not go to God flexing his muscles, ‘God, cant you hear me?’ but he said: 10 I am unworthy of all the lovingkindness and of all the faithfulness which You have shown to Your servant; for with my staff only I crossed this Jordan, and now I have become two companies.” Hallelujah! The Lord said in Isaiah 66: 2 "For My hand made all these things, Thus all these things came into being," declares the LORD. "But to this one I will look, To him who is humble and contrite of spirit, and who trembles at My word.