No More Jacob

Genesis 32:28 And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.

Jacob was left alone. His family had all crossed over Jabbok. He was getting ready to face his angry bother Esau after many years. His conniving and scheming was about to catch up with him. He had not dealt with his sin; he had just tried to ignore it and think it would go away. But alas, it was ever before him.

Then, God came to him and an all-night wrestling match ensued. In those moments, we learn some things about Jacob, about God, and about ourselves:

  • The biggest work that needs done is a work in our own hearts. Jacob could blame his mother Rebekah, his brother Esau, or his father-in-law Laban, but it was the man in the mirror who needed broken.
  • God is committed to making us who He wants us to be. Despite the years of doing things his own way, God came to Jacob to wrestle with him, to break him, and to leave him with a lasting physical weakness reminding him that he was not more powerful than God.
  • The more we resist, the longer the lesson takes and the more painful it will be. All of us must be broken and will eventually be broken of our pride. The question is how much will we run from and resist God’s work in our lives. Some will resist until their dying day never surrendering. Others will choose to die daily, submitting their lives to the potters hands.

It is wonderful to know that God does not give up on His children. It is a blessing that He breaks us to teach us how much we need Him. The key for us is to remain teachable and mouldable in His hands, to surrender to His will, and to desire for God to make us vessels that bring Him great honour.

Posted By Travis Snode to Travis Snode’s Personal Devotions on 7/31/2014 10:06:00 am

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