Striving and Prevailing
Jacob was rewarded by the Lord, because he had striven with God and with men, and he had prevailed. (Genesis 32:28) I wonder how many of us could say the same thing about ourselves? Just think of what Jacob had been through and how he handled his adversities and his fears. We need to learn from him, so we can receive God's help and His favor.
When Jacob left Canaan after tricking Isaac into giving him the blessing that should have gone to Esau, the first born, he served Laban for 14+ years as a dowry for Rachel and Leah and as a profession. During that time, Laban had deceived him in various ways, but Jacob had acted with integrity, so God blessed him with great wealth and 12 sons. He was a deceiver, and then, he had to handle being deceived, which he did with honesty.
Then, when he returned with his family to Canaan, he was very afraid that Esau would still be angry and come to kill him. Therefore, he wrestled with the Lord bodily all night before seeing his brother. He was striving with God to bless him and not allow injury or death to him and his family. God saw his heart and determination, and He changed his name from Jacob or "Deceiver" to Israel or "Prince of God." That showed the blessing of God because of seeking God's blessings.
In both instances Jacob prevailed. He did not just strive with men and with God, but he stayed with it until God blessed Him and brought him through. Many people strive some, but they do not prevail, because they give up too soon. They cease living in total integrity with others, and they cease calling out to God in prayer. Because of their lack of prevailing, they do not get the blessing. I pray that we are all those who strive and prevail, so we get the favor of the Lord on our lives.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Genesis 33-35.
When Jacob left Canaan after tricking Isaac into giving him the blessing that should have gone to Esau, the first born, he served Laban for 14+ years as a dowry for Rachel and Leah and as a profession. During that time, Laban had deceived him in various ways, but Jacob had acted with integrity, so God blessed him with great wealth and 12 sons. He was a deceiver, and then, he had to handle being deceived, which he did with honesty.
Then, when he returned with his family to Canaan, he was very afraid that Esau would still be angry and come to kill him. Therefore, he wrestled with the Lord bodily all night before seeing his brother. He was striving with God to bless him and not allow injury or death to him and his family. God saw his heart and determination, and He changed his name from Jacob or "Deceiver" to Israel or "Prince of God." That showed the blessing of God because of seeking God's blessings.
In both instances Jacob prevailed. He did not just strive with men and with God, but he stayed with it until God blessed Him and brought him through. Many people strive some, but they do not prevail, because they give up too soon. They cease living in total integrity with others, and they cease calling out to God in prayer. Because of their lack of prevailing, they do not get the blessing. I pray that we are all those who strive and prevail, so we get the favor of the Lord on our lives.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Genesis 33-35.