Face to Face

FOCUS TEXT

Genesis 32:24-31

Jacob was left alone; and a man wrestled with him until daybreak. When the man saw that he did not prevail against Jacob, he struck him on the hip socket; and Jacob’s hip was put out of joint as he wrestled with him. Then he said, “Let me go, for the day is breaking.” But Jacob said, “I will not let you go, unless you bless me.” So he said to him, “What is your name?” And he said, “Jacob.” Then the man said, “You shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with humans, and have prevailed.” Then Jacob asked him, “Please tell me your name.” But he said, “Why is it that you ask my name?” And there he blessed him. So Jacob called the place Peniel, saying, “For I have seen God face to face, and yet my life is preserved.” The sun rose upon him as he passed Penuel, limping because of his hip.

DAILY BYTE

Yesterday we focused on the fact that God constantly takes the initiative to meet us where we are. Let us now focus on a good example of this truth. In today’s text, we read how Jacob met God face to face. I invite you to reflect on this encounter that Jacob had with God.

There are three important factors to take into account regarding this encounter. First, God took the initiative by placing Jacob in situation where Jacob would have a meaningful encounter with God. If you read the whole chapter and become familiar with Jacob’s story you will realize that Jacob was at the end of a rope. He feared for his life and the lives of those around him. The set of circumstances surrounding Jacob brought him a place in time where God could bless him in a transformative way. Jacob desperately sought God’s blessing. Second, Jacob was persistent. He said, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” Jacob kept seeking God’s blessing for hours and was struck by God. And third, God’s blessing transformed Jacob completely. That encounter that Jacob had with God literally changed his identity. After God blessed Jacob, he no longer was Jacob. He was now Israel. He was now the one who had striven with God and prevailed.

Merriam-Webster defines the word “strive” as an intransitive verb that means to devote serious effort or energy to an endeavor. Understanding that God is always ahead of us taking the initiative to meet us, we must strive to enter spaces in which we can have meaningful encounters with God. We know that God blesses us in spite of us. However, when we recognize the fact that God wants to meet us and takes the initiative to do so, we must strive in the search of God’s transforming blessings.

Throughout our life we encounter God in different ways. Please note that, at the beginning of today’s passage, Scripture says that Jacob wrestled with a man until daybreak. However, at the end of the passage Jacob says, “For I have seen God face to face…” referring to the man he wrestled with. As we walk this journey of life, we encounter God in different ways. God blesses us through different means and transforms us as we experience different situations. When we meet God face to face, we are inevitably transformed. Let us strive together to respond to God’s initiative and earnestly seek God’s transformative blessings.

PRAY AS YOU GO

Father, our desire is to strive as we seek your face. We pray that you lead us into spaces where we can experience meaningful encounters with you. We pray that you bless us. Allow us to be transformed to your image more and more everyday. As we pray, as we study your Word, as we worship you, and as we serve others around us, please allow us to meet you face to face and inevitably be transformed. Amen.