Don’t Let Go Even If It Hurts
“And he rose up that night, and took his two wives, and his two womenservants, and his eleven sons, and passed over the ford Jabbok. And he took them, and sent them over the brook, and sent over that he had. And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day. And when he saw that he prevailed not against him, he touched the hollow of his thigh; and the hollow of Jacob's thigh was out of joint, as he wrestled with him. And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me. And he said unto him, What is thy name? And he said, Jacob. 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. And Jacob asked him, and said, Tell me, I pray thee, thy name. And he said, Wherefore is it that thou dost ask after my name? And he blessed him there. And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved. And as he passed over Penuel the sun rose upon him, and he halted upon his thigh. Therefore the children of Israel eat not of the sinew which shrank, which is upon the hollow of the thigh, unto this day: because he touched the hollow of Jacob's thigh in the sinew that shrank.” (Genesis 32:22-32)
Today’s Morsel: Jacob’s fear of returning home and having to meet his brother Esau was hard pressing for him. When he left home, his brother Esau had promised to kill him. And now, after 20 plus years living with his Uncle Laban, and having his wages changed ten times, and realizing lying and cheating doesn’t reward evil, he must now face the music. God instructs Jacob to take his family and return home to which he obeys. But fear is plaguing his mind. Death is staring him in the face and uncertainty is wreaking havoc in his thoughts. When Jacob gets word that his brother is coming with 400 men, he knows that he is coming to kill him. And so Jacob realizes that he needs an answer from God before he crosses this brook. Because there is no turning back once he crosses. This is a bridge of no return. Jabbok means an emptying out. It is here that Jacob pours out his heart to God. It is here that he’s got to get ahold of God before he proceeds further as there are many lives and resources at stake. And so, he wrestles with a man all night until the breaking of the day. In this wrestling match, Jacob has such a firm grip that he is not about to let go, even though he is told to let go. But he will not let go. And even when his hip is pulled out of socket, and he is in much pain, he holds on and does not let go until he receives his answer. Are you able to hold on in your pain while you wait for your answer from God. Faith sometimes is more than just believing; it is also your ability to hold on. Solomon states: “Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life.” (Proverbs 13:12) The writer of Hebrews admonishes us: “Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry. Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.” (Hebrews 10:35-39) Don’t allow your pain to cause you to regress or let go. Stay focused, hold on, and Jesus will bring you over to the other side.
Sing: He touched me, oh, He touched me. And oh, the joy that floods my soul. Something happened and now I know, Jesus touched me and made me whole.
Shackled by a heavy burden; neath below guilt and shame. Then the hand of Jesus touched me, and now I am no longer the same (Chorus)
Thought For Today: “The LORD hear thee in the day of trouble; the name of the God of Jacob defend thee; Send thee help from the sanctuary, and strengthen thee out of Zion;” (Psalms 20:1-2)
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