You think I'm a lot like Jacob? Really???

While it's no secret that I am stubborn, it's just a little disconcerting that God Himself has been pointing out just how stubborn I am. Like Jacob? REALLY? The only consolation I have in the matter is that He hasn't pointed out other traits which Jacob's known for. He doesn't exactly have the best of reputations.

So, Jacob wrestling with the angel. Yep. That's me. I wrestle round and round with God, and refuse to let go until He blesses me - or at least until all I know is Christ Jesus. I want to know joy and peace. I want to believe all the truths that God's told us about. Yet, my flesh - the old me - holds on like hot tar.  

Being stubborn can create strong hindrance, and yet it can also become a huge blessing.  

I don't recall Jacob ever boasting that he wrestled an angel, or saw the face of God. Yet that wrestling match changed Jacob. His name was changed, his walk was changed, and his behavior changed. I think he learned humility that night, also gaining full confidence that the God of his father and grandfather truly was with him, in spite of his sins and flaws. I think Jacob learned to have more faith in God than fear of man. 

So, while I'm not ecstatic for being compared with Jacob, I'm thankful for these reminders:

• God loved Jacob (He is known as being the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob).
• God chose Jacob even though he was conniving, manipulative, and shrewd.
• God met Jacob alone, at the right moment, to teach him what he needed to know at that time.
• God molded (or chiseled) a very stubborn man into the man he needed to be... (more on that in the next post).
• God's will do what He sets out to do. He keeps His promises.

Abba God, You are wise and know every little detail about me. You know me better than I know myself. Thank You for blessing me continually, because of Christ's sacrifice. Thank You for reveling truth and planting it in the depths of my soul. I want to know YOU, to see YOUR face, to know YOU more. And I don't intend to stop wrestling until my flesh is nothing to me, until I boast in Christ Jesus only. In His name...