Wrestling with God: Inspiration sent in and authored by Aaron Rabin

Wrestling with God: Never Let Go
by: Aaron Rabin

“I will not let You go unless You bless me!”
At first glance, this seems like a bold statement from someone who knows exactly what he wants and will go to great measures to obtain it. When we press the rewind button, however, we find the desperation at the core of Jacob’s encounter with God.
It was Jacob’s fear of Esau that drove him into this wrestling match. Traveling toward the brother he offended, fearing for his life and the lives of his family and those who traveled with him, Jacob sent servants ahead with gifts for Esau. He hoped these offerings would appease Esau’s anger and lead to a peaceful reunion.
The night before the encounter was anything but peaceful. “Then Jacob was left alone; and a Man wrestled with him until the breaking of day. Now when He saw that He did not prevail against him, He touched the socket of his hip; and the socket of Jacob’s hip was out of joint as He wrestled with him.”
Jacob, alone in the darkness of the desert night, full of anxiety and desperation, entered into a wrestling match with Almighty God. Add to that a dislocated hip, and no one would blame Jacob for caving in and giving up.
Jacob did just the opposite. With only the strength of his heart’s desire, he continued to wrestle with God and prevailed. It was a blessing that not only changed his immediate circumstances; it changed his entire life and his name. From his desperate need to be blessed by the Lord—and his persistence in obtaining that blessing—a people set apart for God received their name: Israel.
I believe that all of the things that happened to Jacob had driven him to this moment. It was the way he obtained his blessing from Isaac and the turmoil he experienced with Laban that caused him to become desperate for a personal encounter with God.
As I look back on my life, I can see the difference between the times that I ran to God in my most desperate moments and the times that I tried to take matters into my own hands. Although I have been successful at overcoming trials on my own at times, I cannot count one time that I walked away from those experiences with a blessing. It is only when I have trusted the resolution into my Savior’s hands, looked to Him for His will and purpose for my life, and refused to let go of Him until I walked away with a special touch from Him that I have received His blessings.
Many people talk about the things we need to let go of in life to find peace. Although that is true at times, the ultimate victory comes not from what we let go of, but rather Who we take hold of.
I know that no matter what darkness comes my way and however much I may limp along the path He has paved for me, when I come face to face with my Heavenly Father, His glory continues to be the light that guides me.