By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo
Genesis 32:28,31 "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.” … The sun rose above him as he passed Peniel, and he was limping because of his hip." - NIV
Jacob was in such a fix. He was to face his brother Esau, whose birthright he had taken by fraud. The rift between them was deep. It was now over 20 years since. Yet he had no choice, but to go and face him. He sent all his animals and family ahead.
That night, he was alone, to sort himself out with God. A man wrestled the whole night with him, but couldn’t prevail. Later, he blessed him by changing his name from Jacob (the cheat, fraudster) to Israel (the one who prevails with God and men). That changed his story forever!
In the course of the fight, his hip was wrenched. As he crossed over to meet his Esau, he limped. But he had prevailed with God, before going to face the greatest fear of his life. Esau, who came ready to fight in revenge with 400 men, was completely dealt with by God. Instead of fight Jacob, they hugged and reunited in love. It was unbelievable to Jacob, but true!
If only we could learn to sort things with God in prayer as we face the challenges of our lives, before facing men! When we prevail with God, He deals with our situations. By the time we face them, everything has been streamlined. Turning to God establishes our faith in Him alone and gives Him lee way to fully step into our situations. Our bodies may be ‘limping’, weakened, subjected, but victory is settled in the spirit. And that’s what matters.
Joshua 23:10 "One of you routs a thousand, because the Lord your God fights for you, just as he promised."
Shalom children of God.