Wrestling to Prevail

Genesis 32

Our past will always come to haunt us until we deal with it forever. Jacob was afraid that Esau, who sought to kill him years ago, would meet him and his family to execute his plans. He made his own human plans and then turned to God for help. God finally met him and assured him of deliverance. Our fears can cripple us from taking action but that was not what happened to Jacob. He sought divine help and God gave him assurance of deliverance.

Two lessons are important to learn in this chapter:

#1. Confront your fears. (Genesis 32:1-21)

Fear can take the best of what God has promised to do for us. What did Jacob do knowing he had to confront his past fear of Esau’s threat to kill him? He sent messengers to negotiate with Esau, he feared, he prayed to God, and he created several groups of his company so that if one is attacked, others can escape. You do not deal with your fears by doing nothing. We have to take action in the face of our greatest fears. Jacob teaches us that in the midst of planning, we must seek divine help. Remember that fear can be dealt with because God has not given us the spirit of fear.

#2. Divine assurance. (Genesis 32:22-32)

After Jacob had separated his company into different groups, he was alone and he encountered and wrestled with God. He wrestled with him until he dislodged his joint, changed his name and blessed him. God testified of him that he wrestled with man and God and prevailed. That was an assurance that he would triumph in his encounter with his brother Esau whom he feared. Clearly Jacob did not fear to wrestle with God but feared to wrestle with Esau. When we meet God, we are confident of victory ahead.

It was clear that Jacob could have only won over his past if he wins with God. When he wrestled with God and prevailed, he was assured of victory with men. We must learn to wrestle with God in order to prevail before men.

Take Action: Pray that you will win your battles before it comes to you.