Leading with a Limp

Genesis 31-33; Luke 13

“The sun rose above him as he passed Peniel, and he was limping because of his hip…Jacob looked up and there was Esau, coming with his four hundred men;…He himself went on ahead and bowed down to the ground seven times as he approached his brother.”

Genesis 32:31; 33:1, 3

As Jacob prepared to meet his estranged brother Esau, God broke Jacob’s hip. The dislocation caused him to limp as he approached Esau. More than his gifts of appeasement, Jacob’s limp moved the heart of Esau to reconcile with him. Jacob had come to him in weakness rather than strength.

Which relationships are we in that require healing?

Are we aware of our limp - emotionally, spiritually, or in any other area of our lives?

In what ways is God using our weakness rather than strength to bring reconciliation and peace in our relationships?

Peniel was the place where Jacob met God and surrendered his will. We, too, must surrender, not just our sin, but our strength to see the face of God.

“Lord God, you are my strength. I humble myself before you and repent of pride, fear, lust, and independence - all that limit your grace to me. Your grace is enough, for your glory.”