Being a Christian is more than just an instantaneous conversion – it is a daily process whereby you grow to be more and more like Christ.’
– Billy Graham
Holding on to the Presence of God
Jacob was left alone. And a man wrestled with him until the breaking of the day. When the man saw that he did not prevail against Jacob, he touched his hip socket, and Jacob’s hip was put out of joint as he wrestled with him. Then he said, “Let me go, for the day has broken.” But Jacob said, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.”
Genesis 32:24-26
When Jacob was born, he was holding onto his brother’s heel and did not want to let go. As Jacob grew older, he continued to have the same mentality of taking hold of what belonged to his brother. He plotted with his mother to steal the birth right of his brother Esau, which was a highly valued aspect and a great blessing that belonged to Esau as a first born. Jacob tried to fulfil the promise of God in his own dishonest way. What he did not understand and trust at that point was that; “ The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. Instead He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.’ (2 Peter 3:9‘The).
At the beginning of the passage Jacob struggled with man for possession, but through the process of maturing we see that he comes to wrestle with God and prevails with His blessing. He did not want to let go of God even when his hip was touched and was out of joint. He must have been in acute pain, did not want to leave God without His blessing.
The Lord has taken our sin on the cross; He does not look back at our past failures but wants us to change each day more like His Son Jesus. When we do not give up struggling with God in prayer, in faith and steadfastness through the desert situations of our lives, He will come through and the blessings He has for us cannot compare with anything what the world can give.
Dear Lord,
I thank You for this day and I seek You this morning to change me on the inside so that I will be like Your Son Jesus, in all my ways. I trust You in all my struggles and will hold on to You knowing You will bring a great breakthrough in my life. Amen.
God bless you,
Theo and Manju