Lent Day 24 Perseverance

Reading

So Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him till daybreak.  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. Then the man said, “Let me go, for it is daybreak.” But Jacob replied, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” The man asked him, “What is your name?” “Jacob,” he answered.  Then the man said, “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with humans and have overcome.” Jacob said, “Please tell me your name.” But he replied, “Why do you ask my name?” Then he blessed him there.  So Jacob called the place Peniel, saying, “It is because I saw God face to face, and yet my life was spared.” The sun rose above him as he passed Peniel and he was limping because of his hip.

Reflection

We all experience times when we feel as if we are wrestling with God and often, like Jacob, we are alone in the situation. Here we are reminded that life is not always plain sailing. The key thing here is that Jacob persisted. Are we prepared to persist in our knowing God? Many of us are marked by the wounds we have sustained from our struggles. This text reminds us that God is wrestling with us, and we grow in that process. It also tells us that we might walk with limp after such experiences but that limp reminds us of our human frailty and weaknesses. It throws us back on God without whose continued presence to sustain and guide we are lost. So, if you are facing a difficult situation today, remember Jacob, persist and God will bless you!

Spiritual Exercise

As a little fun today, try a gentle ‘thumb wrestling’ tournament with your family or household. Imagine what it would be like to thumb wrestling with God. It is only when we fully engage with God that we can be transformed and blessed as Jacob was.