Scripture - Gen 32:24-26 The Jacob was left alone; and a Man wrestled with him until the breaking of day. 25 Now when He say that He did not prevail against him, He touched the socket of his hip; and the socket of Jacob's hip was out of joint as He wrestled with Him. 26 And He said, "Let Me go, for the day breaks." But he said, "I will not let You go unless You bless me!"
Observation - Jacob was one persistent person. I know this scripture is very well known but today is it speaking clearly. As we are continuing in our 21 day fast - it seems to me that we need to understand the persistence that Jacob had to wrestle until he was blessed. Jacob refused to let go even in pain and discomfort. Even when he was injured in his hip, Jacob had a mindset that he wasn't letting go of God until God blessed him. Ironically that is exactly what happened. God blessed him and let him go and Jacob was forever changed by this event. In fact it changed the people that followed him and the diet they ate and the way they worshipped. This event not only affected Jacob but everyone that followed him.
Application - I think sometimes we need to get our mind on wrestling with God. We need to have the mindset that we are going to pursue God until we reach the break through. So many of us stop short of our goal but praying a bit and asking God for his blessing, but God never experiences the joy of one of his children pursuing him and chasing him and wrestling with Him until the blessing comes. Like a professional athlete, that is where the spiritual strength comes from. That constant wrestling until day break. Staying up with God could be the greatest blessing we have ever experienced.
Prayer - Father, I know your word says "You are a rewarder of those that diligently seek you." God help me to have the persistence of Jacob. Help me to pursue and to wrestle with you until the blessing comes. I want to experience you in greater and more complete ways. Help me God with this pursuit.
