Alone and at the End

Genesis 31-33; Luke 13

“So Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him till daybreak.”

Genesis 32:24

After fleeing in fear from Esau to Laban’s family, Jacob deceived Laban who in turn deceived Jacob. Jacob then returned to Esau with a scheme of pacifying him through lavish gifts. Jacob was at the end of his capacity and strength. Fear had overtaken him. Deceptions were inadequate for what faced him when he returned to his estranged brother Esau. Alone in a confining, fearful, and seemingly hopeless situation was where Jacob found himself as he wrestled with an angel. Wrestling with God will not go well. Jacob’s hip injury and lifetime limp testified to that inevitable outcome. However, this was the breaking point in Jacob’s life when he yielded himself and his will in surrender to God. Jacob’s name and identity changed from deceiver to overcomer.

Have we come to the end of ourselves and our capacity yet?

“Lord Jesus, you are my sufficiency; in you I put my trust, for your glory.”