Crippling Grace

“And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face-to-face, and my life is preserved.” (Genesis 32:30)

There is a saying that time heals all wounds, but that is not always true. A wounded heart or one’s pride may take years or a lifetime to heal, and sadly, sometimes, healing never occurs. Jacob wrongfully cheated his brother of the family blessing and inheritance by tricking his almost-blind father—his mother’s deceitful plan (Genesis 27). In fear for his life, Rebekah told him to leave for a few days until his twin brother Esau’s anger subsided. But those days of separation turned into twenty years of estrangement from the family he loved (31:41); he would never see his mother again.

When God said it was time to return home, Jacob sent servants ahead to prepare Esau for his arrival, who responded that he was on the way with four hundred men. Instead of wallowing in fear, Jacob prayed, and God told him all would be well. The trickster knew he didn’t deserve mercy yet asked God for deliverance. After sending gifts for Esau, his family, servants, and possessions ahead, Jacob remained behind alone. That evening, he “wrestled with a man” until daybreak, and seeing Jacob would not let go nor give up until having received a blessing, the unknown man dislocated his hip. Jacob realized his encounter had been with a visible form of God. Because God often changed Bible characters’ names symbolizing how their lives changed, He changed Jacob’s name to Israel (God-wrestler). Jacob, the deceiver, who wrestled with Almighty God, became Israel: the prince who struggles with God and prevails. He became a new man with a new name and character and reestablished the family relationship with his brother. Jacob saw God face-to-face, yet God spared his life, but the limp he walked with reminded him of his encounter with The Almighty.

We face and live in uncertain and challenging times but struggling under inconvenient or demanding situations forges strong character if we depend on God and pray rather than frantically respond. Like Jacob, are you a God-wrestler? Have you persisted in prayer with God over a problem, refusing to give up?  Are you willing to persevere even if discomfort or pain are involved? God’s crippling grace may serve as a reminder of the struggle but keep on until the blessing comes.