Watch the Devotion

Based on Genesis 32:22-30

One of the stories my wife loves to tell is of a certain Thanksgiving celebration at our home. Our brother-in-law convinced me and another brother-in-law to go on a four-mile run. When we returned, he asked, “Do you guys want me to teach you some combatives?” Keep in mind, he wears a Ranger tab on his US Army uniform. I ended up on my back most of the time, wind knocked out of me, and at times seeing blackness descend over my eyes, needing to tap out. But I learned a lesson: Never give up, even when your opponent is stronger than you.

There is a story about a wrestling match in the Bible. A man named Jacob had been estranged from his twin brother. Jacob had deceitfully stolen his brother Esau’s inheritance. Esau made his intentions clear. He would murder his brother after their father died.

Fast forward 20 years . . . both brothers are married with multiple kids and large estates. Jacob is traveling back home with his entourage when a scout informs Jacob, “Your brother Esau is going to meet us. He has 400 men with him.” Jacob was in great fear and distress and prayed, “Lord, save me! I am afraid! You made promises to me to bring me back to my homeland and to prosper me.”

There he was alone in the dark with his thoughts heavy on his heart, praying to God, when suddenly out of the shadows a man grabbed him and wrestled him to the ground. They sparred throughout the night. You can imagine the sweat, the grappling for an advantage, the grunts, and the muscles straining to gain an advantage. They wrestled until the sun’s rays began to streak over the horizon. The man saw he could not overpower Jacob, so he touched Jacob’s hip and wrenched it so that Jacob was at a great disadvantage. But Jacob wrapped himself around the man, who finally conceded and said, “Let me go, for it is daybreak” (Genesis 32:26). Jacob refused, in spite of his hip, and said, “I will not let you go unless you bless me” (verse 26).

In this mysterious story, God manifests himself in human form and allows a human being to overpower him in a sparring match. Jacob wrestled with God not only physically but also spiritually in his prayers and would not let God go unless he did what he promised to Jacob.

I know that you have wrestled in prayer, in the darkness, for God’s promised blessings to you. Continue to spar with God. Wrestle with him. Like Jacob, hold onto him and remind him of the things he has promised you in his Word. God delights to be caught in his promises.

Unsure of what he’s promised you? The Lord’s Prayer is a great place to start. Use Martin Luther’s catechism and pray that prayer using the explanations to remind your Father what he promises you. “Give me my daily bread! Forgive my sins! Deliver me from evil! Guard and keep me from temptation!” Hold him to those promises. Ask for wisdom. He promises it! He will give help in trouble, comfort in grief, guidance when you feel lost, strength when you are weak.

Spar with God. Hold onto him and do not let go, for he loves to be caught in his promises.

Prayer:

Lord God, give me strength and willingness to say with your Son, “Not my will, but yours be done.” Make me cheerful and trusting to bear whatever you let happen to me. From your hand I am willing to take the good and the bad, the joy and the sorrow. Keep me from sin, gracious Father, and comfort me with your kind Word. Amen.

Written and recorded by Rev. Paul Horn, WELS National Civilian Chaplain to the Military, San Diego, California.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. Note: Scripture reading footnotes are clickable only in the web version.