Jacob’s Battle with the Lord

One of the greatest lessons we can learn in life is that our battle is never with people. It isn’t with co-workers, neighbors or our loved ones. It is with God.

If you settle things with God, everything else has to fall into line. When you are right before him — sprinkled with Christ’s blood, having no sin in your life, prevailing in prayer — then all the demons in hell cannot make a dent in what God wants to do. He wants you to have that kind of holy strength.

Hosea said, “The Lord also brings a charge against Judah [his people]” (Hosea 12:2, NKJV). The controversy God has with his church is spiritual laziness. We want miracles, blessings, deliverance, but at no cost and with no effort.

Who among God’s people today prays all night, wrestling, fighting, weeping, crying out to God as Jacob did? Who wants holiness, purity and Christlikeness so much they are willing to shut themselves in with God until they break through? Who is so consumed with pleasing God that they are desperate to be delivered from their habits and lusts, and they cry out and wrestle with God until he breaks all chains?

Hear the words of the patriarchs of the faith! Hosea said to Israel, “All you want is prosperity and security. You are not willing to take a stand. You don’t want to live for Jehovah’s pleasure, but for your own” (see Hosea 12). Jacob was a fighter from the day he was born. He prevailed “by his strength” (see Genesis 25:26). Paul exhorted the Colossians to be “strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy” (Colossians 1:11). He also encouraged the church at Ephesus that God is eager to strengthen us. “He would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might through his Spirit in the inner man” (Ephesians 3:16).

The church of Jesus Christ is never going to see what God has for his body until he sees us seeking him in earnest. “The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much” (James 5:16). God wants you to lay hold of him because he loves you. He says, “Here it is. If you want it, come and get it!” He wants to make a strong soldier out of you, fit for his army.