Genesis 32:30-31 Jacob named the place Peniel (God’s Face) because, he said, “I saw God face-to-face and lived to tell the story!” The sun came up as he left Peniel, limping because of his hip.

Jacob’s life was filled with blessings, but he also experienced many ups and downs. After he had deprived Esau of his birthright, he went to work for his uncle Laban. Here he was once again treated unjustly and did not get the woman who was the apple of his eye, but rather her sister.

But the difficulties he faced did not stop there. His relationship with his uncle soured. Finally, fearing for his life, he packed his bags and set off back to his brother Esau. He was terribly afraid of returning to Esau and was quaking in his shoes.

One night he sent all his wives, children, livestock and workers across a river. He stayed behind alone. The night became more than a nightmare. He wrestled with God. The battle was so fierce and so real that he was left with a limp for the rest of his life.

A respected man, but very, very afraid of his brother, he collapsed in a heap filled with self-pity. It is precisely here that God met him. And God? God did not come with nice words or a little salve to put on the wound. No, God had a wrestling match with Jacob.

Jacob had been fighting all his life. Fighting with Esau. Fighting with Laban. Fighting with his children. Fighting for a woman, the right woman. His life was always fighting, fighting: fighting for control, for approval, for blessing. Even here where he met God, it was a fierce fight. This time he came out second, with a dislocated hip.

After that day Jacob was different. He no longer fought, and well, physically he could no longer really fight anymore. He realised that God was much bigger, and that he could not do anything on his own. He held on to God. He did not want to go on alone and insisted that God bless him.

Life is full of challenges, and sometimes we must get up and fight to survive. Fortunately, we don’t have to do it on our own, because God, who is far greater than any challenge in our path, is there to take our hand and fight with us.

Sometimes the fighting leaves scars. Sometimes it causes pain, but in the struggle, we experience the reality of God who is with us. This is where we get to know Him and realise He is for us, in us, before us, around us. This is where we become different. Become new. A new child of God.

Prayer
Father, sometimes I struggle to keep my head above water. Sometimes I must fight to survive. It’s good to know that You are there all the time. Let me experience it that way …

Questions
What are you still struggling with alone in the dark?
What new name are you living today?
Where does your limp show you God’s strength?

Now do this
Today, honestly reflect on your own struggles and acknowledge before God where you have grown weary of fighting on your own.
Hold on to God in prayer and tell Him you do not want to walk any further without His blessing and presence.
Accept your scars as places where God has shaped you and choose to live today with more humility and trust.