BLESSED IS THE MAN WHO WALKS WITH A LIMP

When we read the Bible there are some passages that are hard to digest. That was how I felt when I read the story of Jacob and his encounter with a Man who challenged him to a wrestling match.

We are told this Man (God) wrestled with Jacob till daybreak. When the Man saw that he couldn't get the best of Jacob as they wrestled He deliberately threw his hip out of joint. The Man said, "let me go it's daybreak." Jacob said "No! Not until you bless me." Genesis 32:24-26

 God cares so much about the condition of the human heart that He will challenge our choices when necessary. Jacob lived life on his own terms, rarely stopping long enough to check in with God. He lied, cheated, and manipulated his way through life until God intervened. During the course of the struggle, Jacob confessed his failures, his weakness, his sins and faced God. No more lies.

"What is your name?" The Man asked. (V27) The patriarch replied, "Jacob."  His name meant trickster or supplanter but God used this encounter to change Jacob's name.  God said to Jacob "Your name will no longer be Jacob but Israel." (v28)

For some of us, our bad decisions will take us to a place where God will meet us for an unexpected wrestling match. God wants our devotion. He wants to see changed men and women living with purpose. He is patient with us, but he also disciplines those he loves.

Jacob was determined to allow God to change his life. He was no different than you or me. He wrestled with God and obtained the blessing he so desperately wanted. He emerged with a new name, a cleansed heart and "spiritually speaking" a limp, to remind him of his victory.

We would all do well to wrestle with God. Blessed is the man who walks with a limp.

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of the world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2