Struggles with God

~~~ Genesis 32:23-33 ~~~ Psalm 17 ~~~ Matthew 9:32-38 ~~~

...I have seen God face to face,” he said,

“yet my life has been spared.”

Jacob finds himself alone in a physical battle

 with the messenger of God.

Jacob had not anticipated this struggle.

The one with whom he fought

 made Jacob that much stronger.

...you have contended with divine and human beings

and have prevailed.

Jacob, however, did not emerge unharmed.

His hip was dislocated leaving him with a painful limp.

We too struggle with God, but most of the time we do not 

know it is God with whom we struggle.

We struggle with God in our head.

We argue with him about our life situations.

We struggle with God in our heart.

We resist his invitation to follow him in times

 of loneliness and disappointment.

We physically struggle with God...

missing Mass...not coming to God with our needs.

During the battle Jacob's name is changed to Israel.

Israel means, one who fought with the divine...God.

Following the battle Jacob called the place Peniel,

which means "the face of God".

I imagine we all struggle with God at different times of our lives.

Perhaps we struggle just to make ourselves feel better...

Perhaps we struggle with God because we are frustrated with life...

Perhaps we struggle with God because he permits it.

Perhaps the struggle itself draws us closer to God.

God left his mark on Jacob even as he let him prevail.

The Lord Blesses us in our struggles with him.

~~~Peace~~~

Up Close and Personal

~~~ Genesis 32:23-33 ~~~ Psalm 17 ~~~ Matthew 9:32-38 ~~~

 

Having had total hip replacement a couple years ago,

I can identify with Jacob today.

I did not have 'an encounter with God' resulting in my hip problems though.

Once again we see when God changes your heart he also changes your name.

 

Jacob, from now on, will be called Israel.

 

“You shall no longer be spoken of as Jacob, but as Israel,
because you have contended with divine and human beings
and have prevailed.”

 

Jacob asks for another blessing from this force he has wrestled.

Jacob has come to value blessings; after all he cheated his own brother

out of the coveted blessing from their father.

 

From now on Jacob will come to represent all people...the tribes of Israel.

 

Jacob limped along because of his hip.

 

So was this struggle good or bad?

Jacob was now afflicted with a dislocated hip.

He ability to walk would now be accentuated with pain.

Anyone who has experienced sciatic nerve pain 

knows how crippling it can be.

It is a pain that cannot be ignored. It is a haunting pain.

 

There was no need for the wrestling to continue throughout the night;

other than Jacob was also wrestling with his own conscience.

 

What is heavy on your soul can keep you awake at night.

When we are conflicted within God needs to get our attention.

When Jacob's hip was wrenched it brought him into reality.

Darkness makes it impossible to physically see,

making it easier to delve into one's own soul.

Night brings the cover of darkness.

Jacob was alone with the darkness of his own heart.

 

Jacob had been denying his own guilt concerning his brother Esau.

Jacob had destroyed his relationship with his brother

and now had the audacity to wrestle with God.

Did he really believe there would be no consequences for his actions.

 

 

It takes time, but Jacob does realize the value in reconciling with his brother.

God makes all things right in his own time.

Jacob had been away for twenty years.

God faithfully protected Jacob with his angels,

as was previously promised.

 

Jacob returns to his brother for healing. He no longer sees his brother as a threat.

Jacob is not returning to claim his greater inheritance portion.

 

Jacob had an up close and personal encounter

with what he considered to be God.

Jacob wrapped his arms and legs around his opponent.

He could feel the breath of his opponent.

He could could hear the sounds of their physical contact.

 

We too struggle with our sinfulness.

Blessing for us come in reconciling our differences.

Make peace with your family as it heals the soul

and opens the door for grace and blessings.

Like Jacob, we too must live with who we truly are.

 

Blessings in tumbling with God.