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Your words, O Lord of Jacob wrestling with you or, your angel (?) reminds me of Jesus Christ's own agony in the garden. And for me, it is one of sweetest scenes in the whole bible, the finest example of an animated and engaging relationship with you, dear God our Father.
Jacob was left there alone. Then some man wrestled with him until the break of dawn. When the man saw that he could not prevail over him, he struck Jacob's hip at its socket, so that the hip socket was wrenched as they wrestled. Then the man said, "You shall no longer be spoken of as Jacob, but as Israel, because you have contended with divine and human beings and have prevailed." (Genesis 32:25-26, 29)
Loving Father, forgive us when we "box" you as being stern and stiff like the police waiting for our slightest mistakes and violations; surprise us, dear God with your intimacy, closely engaging wrestling and contending with you to bring out the best in us and still see your very best plans that cleanse and purify us of our intentions.
Grant us the grace of intimacy that is most surprising when we have to wrestle with you like Jacob and be "Israel" so that your might and your truth will always prevail unlike the Pharisees who were afraid to get closer to Christ and be purified that they vilified and later crucified to hide in their weaknesses and sins.
Grant us courage and strength dear God in engaging with you realizing our limits humbly surrendering to your will like Jacob at Peniel; let us be not like those Pharisees who refused to contend by insisting their contempt for Jesus thinking they can prevail on him only to reveal their evil within. Amen.
