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.
Each one of us should be convicted of our sins and rebellious attitude instead of blaming God for our sorrows. Remember GOD MAKES NO MISTAKES! His entire past comes before him like a flash : all the deception, cheating, lying etc; however, Jacob did not run away from God, but he ran to Him. Amen.
We give our hearts to God and see him strip away the flesh as we depend on Him more and more - but there is still that core of us that wants to preserve the self. But God has to break
us, put barricades in our way, smash our plans and bring us to a stage where a
‘complete surrender’ has to be done. There is no longer a "me" - there is only a
"He.”
EMPTYING IS ESSENTIAL BEFORE FILLING
Genesis 32:23” He took them and sent them across the stream. And he sent across whatever he had.”
Jacob sent everybody away in order to be alone with God, his life was too crowded with people and things for the last 20 years; therefore he had to empty himself in order to have a fresh touch with God. After 20 years of working hard one would expect to relax and enjoy the benefits of it but Jacob was now left with no roof above his head, so he had none but God now. God brings us to this situation. God can only fill empty vessels. Say Amen.
When the widow cried out to prophet Elisha, he said: 2 King 4:3” "Go outside, borrow vessels from all your neighbors, empty vessels and not too few.4 Then go in and shut the door behind yourself and your sons and pour into all these vessels. And when one is full, set it aside."
When you shut the door behind yourself for an intimate meeting with God, I assure you “the windows of heaven will open for you and God would pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need.”(Malachi 3:10)Isn’t that exciting?
The prophet Elisha had God’s purpose in his mind, when he instructed the widow to ‘Go, borrow vessels from everywhere, from all your neighbors’, the boys might have initially felt humiliated to visit all the neighbors and collect empty vessels, however, God not only gave them abundance through His provision, but also changed their humiliation to joy. Mourning turned to dancing! Remember there is purpose for your suffering! Since they had visited the entire neighborhood for empty vessels, after the miracle, the entire town came to know of it. God’s name was thereby glorified! God changed their shame to fame! Did you see that?
My testimony: When I was brought home in a stretcher from the hospital, the people in the entire street came to see me; I felt ashamed, hopeless and helpless, to be carried by strangers, however, God later healed me, gave me a beautiful baby boy, I rejoined work with a multinational bank and went in my scooter to office; God lifted my head in the same place where I felt miserable. Psalm 3:3’But You, O LORD, are a shield for me, My glory and the One who lifts up my head.’ Glory to God! Click LINK below to read my entire testimony, the jaw-dropping journey would leave you thunderstruck, don’t miss it.
https://worshipjesusministriestrust.org/aboutus.php
ONE UPON ANOTHER:
We are now coming to the key verse, “Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him until daybreak.”
The scripture says, “ a man wrestled with Jacob until daybreak”, observe what struck me and consumed me was that ‘the man was the one who started the wrestling match with Jacob.’ Jacob was alone, scared, pitch dark about his future, sent his entire family away, emotionally, physically and mentally drained with packing and transportation, it was now during a time when he was expecting a hug and embrace – a man wrestled with him until day break. Now , if you are going to read this portion in jet-speed you will miss out the essence and the still voice of the Holy Spirit. I was alone in my office room in my Abide School ( free school that we run for the underprivileged children of Hyderabad) while I was reading and meditating this portion, I was in no rush.
One upon the other Jacob was being bombarded on all sides, let me tell you something, ’the enemy thinks he can smother and smash you with continuous attacks; however, you come back recharged – though bruised during the process.
The fog about the identity of the ‘man’ is cleared in Hosea 12:3,4 :
3 In the womb he took his brother by the heel, And in his maturity he contended with God.
4 Yes, he wrestled with the angel and prevailed; He wept and sought His favor. He found Him at Bethel And there He spoke with us,
5 Even the LORD, the God of hosts, The LORD is His name.
Since it was God who was wrestling with Jacob, he caught hold of him real tight I guess, because there was pain involved in the fight. Don’t expect to come out unscathed after your encounter with God, He would touch areas that need change. Are you listening?
Then this scripture kind of reveals the compassionate Father-heart of God:
Genesis 32:25 When he saw that he had not prevailed against him, he touched the socket of his thigh; so the socket of Jacob's thigh was dislocated while he wrestled with him.
Can you imagine the Almighty God say ‘I am not able to overcome Jacob”, this is how the father gives in for His child. This is an adorable wrestling match that brings tears to our eyes. However, he touched the socket of his thigh and it was dislocated. He did that not to hurt or harm Jacob but that was inevitable for his spiritual growth and for his next dimension in life.
Knowing the heart of God, Hosea said:
Hosea 12:6 Therefore, return to your God, Observe kindness and justice, And wait for your God continually.
My testimony: After a decade of ministry in a particular city, God commanded us to go to another state where the language, culture and everything was different, where we had no contacts, friends or relatives. There were severe riots in the city during that time and on a particular day, we had come to an absolute empty stage. Our obedience does not exempt us from sufferings, we saw that from the life of Jacob. Not a grain in the rice bag, no oil, no petrol, no milk and not a penny in the wallet. Nothing! My little son (he is an Associate Pastor now, 22 years old, working for another church) started crying and wanted some good food because we had been managing for a long time with bare minimum. Now, even that was not there now. The adults can certainly manage, but what about the kid? I panicked! My husband said that he would draw Rs.100/- from the minimum balance amount of the bank and get some food. He walked to the bank because there was no petrol in the bike, after an hour he called me over the phone to say that all the banks and shops were closed because of the riots and problems.
He said that he would try using his debit card and purchase something from the supermarket in our colony which was fortunately opened. When he had taken all the items and about to submit his card, five thugs bombarded into the shop and forced them to close the shutters immediately. My husband called me to say that with all doors of opportunity closed, he was returning home with an empty bag. Ah, I kept the receiver down, buried my face in my hands and sobbed bitterly. I had never felt so broken in my life. What would I tell my son, daughter and the maid! I gathered myself after some time and felt the need to do something. I humbled myself to call the opposite house hindu lady and explained about the ATMs being closed and asked if she could give us some money. (ATMs being closed is not the reason, I actually I had no money) She was at that time out on the roads hunting for an ATM and she said, “Bala, I actually wanted to ask you for some money because I have no money and now all the banks are closed, sorry.” I just sat in my chair staring at the walls. After half-hour, I received a call. When I picked up the phone, it was the same sweet, pleasant voice of that hindu lady, she said, “Bala, I just managed to spot an ATM, I have withdrawn some money, would Rs.2000/- be enough?” Ah, the voice was like fresh water gushing on a barren, broken land! I said, thousand rupees would do and I thanked her. God did not rush to wipe out all the problems in one go, He came in His own time to solve one problem at a time. I did have a giant faith of trusting God and none. I was flexing my faith muscles to live like George Muller. However, I guess I was getting swollen-headed and proud about my faith. God wanted to nip that out, hence, He allowed me to seek the help of my neighbor. I learnt huge lessons on humility while traversing a pitch dark path of ‘nothingness.’
Well, does it mean God had forsaken me? Never! During those dark moments, Holy Spirit brought scriptures and incidents from the Bible to my memory.
WALKING WITH A LIMP: ABUNDANCE MAKES YOU PROUD BUT BARRENESS KEEPS YOU HUMBLE –
Genesis 32:31:”The sun rose above him as he passed Peniel, and he was limping because of his hip. 32 Therefore to this day the Israelites do not eat the tendon attached to the socket of the hip, because the socket of Jacob’s hip was touched near the tendon.”
The ‘limp’ was not painful anymore for Jacob, it reminded him of his encounter with God, the night he spent with God, his touch with God, his intimacy with God and the face to face meeting with God.
My experiences of an empty pocket has kept me humble and be always grateful to God, to walk with a limp and not leap brashly and proudly.
I am speaking right now to a brother or sister reading this, we need to go through every path in our life, rough and tough, holding on to the Hands of our Creator, rather than try to skip and do a long jump or high jump. It doesn’t happen that way. God bless you!
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