24 So Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with himtill daybreak.
25 When the man saw that he could not overpowerhim, he touched the socket of Jacob‘s hip so that his hipwas wrenched as he wrestled with the man.
- P66
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." - P66
27 The man asked him, "What is your name?" "Jacob," he answered.
28 Then the man said, "Your name will no longer beJacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with Godand with humans and have overcome."
- P67
30 So Jacob called the place Peniel, saying, "It is becauseI saw God face to face, and yet my life was spared.
30 Jacob named the place Peniel (which means "face of God"), for he said, "I haveseen God face to face, yet my life has been spared." - P67
As Jacob sends his family and herds ahead of him, he is left alone and encounters
God in the form of a man. - P68
The physical struggle that ensues
portrays for us what it means to come
before the Lord in ardent prayer.
- P68
At various times in our lives, we will encounter situations that requiremore than a quick one-sentence prayer whispered under
our breath. - P68
When insurmountable challenges lay ahead of us, we, like Jacob, must be willing to
enter into times of intense prayer as we pour out our heartsto God and press in until we hear His response. - P68
We will find that theLord is more than willing to engage with us if we make the effort to engage with Him. - P68
God finally brings an end to the long struggle with Jacob by dislocatinghis hip, no doubt causing him to helplessly clutch onto God, refusing tolet go until He blesses him. - P68
God responds by changing Jacob‘s name toIsrael one who wrestles with God and prevails. - P68
Through this dramaticencounter we learn a precious spiritual truth: the best possible outcomein our prayers is when we find ourselves helplessly dependent on Godand desiring His blessing above all else. - P68
If you are feeling distant fromGod and stagnant in your faith, pursue Him in prayer and persevere until He gives you a fresh
revelation of how much you need Him. - P68
"Too often we knock at mercy‘s door, and then run away, instead of waiting foran entrance and an answer." - Dwight L. Moody - P68
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