Lets read...
Genesis 32:22-32New International Version (NIV)
Jacob(insert your name) Wrestles With God
22 That night Jacob got up and took his two wives, his two female servants and his eleven sons and crossed the ford of the Jabbok. 23 After he had sent them across the stream, he sent over all his possessions. 24 So Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him till daybreak. 25 When the man saw that he could not overpower him, he touched the socket of Jacob’s hip so that his hip was wrenched as he wrestled with the man. 26 Then the man said, “Let me go, for it is daybreak.”
But Jacob replied, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.”
27 The man asked him, “What is your name?”
“Jacob,” he answered.
28 Then the man said, “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel,[a]because you have struggled with God and with humans and have overcome.”
29 Jacob said, “Please tell me your name.”
But he replied, “Why do you ask my name?” Then he blessed him there.
30 So Jacob called the place Peniel,[b] saying, “It is because I saw God face to face, and yet my life was spared.”
31 The sun rose above him as he passed Peniel,[c] 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.
Footnotes:
- Genesis 32:28 Israel probably means he struggles with God.
- Genesis 32:30 Peniel means face of God
Take time to also watch Pastor Brad Powell speak on this verse CLICK HERE
#Northridgechurch, Plymouth Mi
Though God could obviously defeat Jacob at any time, the extended battle was somehow important to Jacob's spiritual development.
God is HIP with our lives!
He is always Happening In the Present! Even if we feel like we're in a wrestling match with Him. God uses all things to teach us and draw us closer to Him!
That is so HIP!
When at daybreak the "man" is ready to discontinue the wrestling match, he simply touches Jacob's hip and it is over.
How often are we in the midst of a struggle and praying for God to end it, (with "one touch"), only to find that He allows the struggle to continue?
If you've been in this kind of a battle, you know that it is in the trenches or standing up against your wall that the greatest growth occurs and the most fruit is borne.
I was thinking that was honestly very HIP of God!
So I am going to call God a HIPSTER, if I may.
HIP= Adjective
Having or showing awareness or involvement in the newest developments!
Aware or appreciative of something
God was aware of Jacobs whole life story and stirred up His HIP with just one touch to define his calling or his style!
This is why God allowed Jacob to wrestle all night and why He leaves us in our trials, often far beyond what we think we can tolerate. But in His mercy, he does eventually reach down, and with "one touch" end the struggle.
The fact that we may bear a scar, as Jacob did in his resulting limp, serves to remind us of His rescue and provision.
When at last the wrestling has subsided, the "man" asks Jacob what his name is. Of course He knew what Jacob's name was, but Jacob needed to come to terms with what his name meant.
When he states his name, which means "the grasper" or "the deceiver", he is admitting who he is.
His name is then changed to Israel, which means "he struggles with God" or "God prevails".
He has had a fundamental shift in his relationship with God and in his concept of himself.
A fundamental shift, or possibly a style change!
So HIP!
He is ready to move into the Promised Land and into his role as the father of God's holy people.
Do you have dreams and goals you’re reaching for?
How do you feel about your life?
Are you happy?
How do you feel about your life?
Are you happy?
Everyone faces problems in their life. We all have disappointments, shattered dreams, people who don’t like us, and people who even come against us.
And the devil wants to use these things to discourage us and keep us from moving forward with our lives and the plans God has for us.
He’s a dream thief, and if he can get you to focus on what’s wrong or what you don’t like about your life, he can defeat you.
How you think, the attitude you have, what you say and how you act determines whether you live in your problems or you move forward in the plans God has for you. Because our thoughts prepare us for action, we have to be determined to think like Jesus and agree with God’s truth. This my friend can be your wrestling match. I will be honest and say that I wrestle with God in certain areas but I know that He is HAPPENING IN THE PRESENT situation of every aspect of my life. The good and bad.And the devil wants to use these things to discourage us and keep us from moving forward with our lives and the plans God has for us.
He’s a dream thief, and if he can get you to focus on what’s wrong or what you don’t like about your life, he can defeat you.
HE IS MY HIPSTER and is touching my style daily.
Yes I feel He dislocates many things but it always works together for the good. He wrestles with my sin and teaches me to become stronger and wiser!
Romans 8:28I pray you continue to wrestle with God, listen closely because He will show you things during that tough wrestling match.
Many times its hard stuff but this is how He blesses us!
Jacob was blessed even though He forever walked away with a limp!
What a HIP God!
Blessings,
