DAILY DEVOTION - 05 JANUARY 2021

Good morning. Peace be with you all. Rejoice in the Lord always. "Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him until daybreak … He said, 'Let me go, for the dawn is breaking.' But he said, 'I will not let you go unless you bless me.'" Genesis 32:24-26 NASB.

Insight

Jacob was constantly surrounded by people. He had a large family, with two wives, twelve sons, hundreds of animals, and many servants. It must have been hard to find alone time. Journeying to his homeland provided the opportunity to ponder his past, particularly to wonder if his brother, Esau, still was angry that Jacob took his birthright and stole his blessing. When Esau approached with four hundred men, Jacob must have imagined the worst. He sent his entourage ahead in two groups. Finally, when everyone had left, he was alone, and “a man wrestled with him until daybreak.” Jacob named the place Peniel, for “I have seen God face to face” in verse 30. This was no ordinary man. Jacob and this man wrestled for hours. The man had superior strength, even dislocating Jacob’s thigh with a touch. Yet Jacob would not give up. As dawn broke, Jacob refused to let him go “unless you bless me.” In response, the man said that Jacob now would be known as “Israel: For you have striven with God and with men and have prevailed” in verse 28.

Challenge

It was no accident that this life-changing moment happened when Jacob was alone. Remember the importance of spending time alone with God. That’s when He can speak to you and teach you. You can interact with Him and even wrestle with Him. Spend time alone with your Heavenly Father today.

Prayer

Father, I long to have a more intimate relationship with You. Speak to me. Teach me. Wrestle with me. Use me for Your Kingdom. In Jesus mighty name. Amen.🙏🏼🔥🙌🏼💖