ODJ: wrestling angels
October 28, 2011
This left Jacob all alone in the camp, and a man came and wrestled with him until the dawn began to break (v.24).
READ: Genesis 32:22-32
My boys love to wrestle me. They create names like Captain Thunder and Tiger Ninja. Adrenaline peaking, they attack me with yells, a flurry of boy-energy and with hopes that this time—this time—they will take me down. I toss them for a while, even feigning desperation so as not to crush their dream prematurely. However, I eventually lock them in a stranglehold until they cry for mercy.
Jacob, returning home after years of hiding out from his brother Esau, had always been able to scheme his way in or out of any situation. Jacob’s name meant “supplanter,” and he had earned a reputation for his deceptive ways. He swindled Esau out of his birthright and tricked his blind father Isaac into giving him the firstborn blessing (Genesis 25, 27). He even manipulated to gain control of his father-in-law’s cattle and wealth (31:1). Whatever Jacob wanted, he got.
But then Jacob finally ran into a situation he couldn’t escape. His servants brought the startling news that Esau was rushing their way with 400 warriors. And “Jacob was terrified at the news” (32:7). After years of scheming, Jacob’s skill and manipulation would do him no good. Wanting to be alone, he walked into the night. And “a man” (later we discover he was a manifestation of God—perhaps even Jesus Himself) leaped out of the darkness, tackling Jacob (v.24).
And the two fought throughout the night. Near the end, the being “touched Jacob’s hip and wrenched it out of its socket” (v.25). All Jacob could do was hang on, a desperate man in need of mercy. And God gave him mercy. Before Jacob returned home to the extraordinary life God had called him to, he first needed to be broken. Then, empty of himself, he could be strong in God.
—Winn Collier
In what situations do you feel most self-sufficient, and in what situations do you find it most difficult to believe God is sufficient?
Tweet This
Share on Facebook
Digg This
Save to delicious
Stumble it-
RSS Feed
Related
ODJ: follow Jesus…on twitter
January 24, 2011 Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow Me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” (v.17). READ: Mark 1:16-20 J esus has His own Twitter account. Well, actually, hundreds of them. Search for “Jesus Christ” on the social networking site, and you’ll find a plethora of twitterers all tweeting in [...]
make way
May 23, 2009 READ: Isaiah 40:3-5 Prepare the way of the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. —Isaiah 40:3 Dwight D. Eisenhower was known for his courageous leadership during World War II. His battle-tested skill equipped the troops to reclaim Europe. Soon after returning to the US as a hero, [...]
ODJ: bumpy roads
July 29, 2009 He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire. He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along (v.2). READ: Psalm 40:1-8 My thoughts were miles away, when suddenly a bump in the road shook my car. As I bounced through [...]
water for the people
June 9, 2009 I was thirsty, and you gave Me a drink (v.35). READ: Matthew 25:31-46 Shortly after moving to Uganda, I opened my home to two AIDS orphans. The other night I took the youngsters out for dinner. On the way home I aimed the car lights on a rock quarry and said, “There are [...]
Christian Courses
Day Of Discovery
Discover The Word
Discovery Series
Help For My Life
My Utmost For His Highest
Our Daily Bread
Our Daily Journey
RBC Ministries
WarungSateKaMu
Manasociety
雅米