“I am unworthy of all the lovingkindness and of all the faithfulness which You have shown to Your servant;” Genesis 32:10a
As Jacob journeys home with his family and all he owns, he has already had an encounter with a Very Angry Father-in-law and the Angels of God. With both, God has spared his life, answered his prayers, and provided His presence. And yet, as he considers meeting his estranged brother Esau, who is coming with 400 men, we are told “Jacob was greatly afraid”.
As the story unfolds, we’re told “Then Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him until daybreak.” And this wasn’t “any man”. Later we’re told “Jacob named the place Peniel, for he said “I have seen God face to face, yet my life has been spared.”” Many consider this to be an early appearance of Christ Himself!
What a tremendous example to God’s People of a Picture of Prayer. Jacob would not stop Wrestling with God until he had his Blessing. So we should not stop until we know God has Heard us and will Answer us. And how will we know that He’s heard us? Let Jacob help us. Look at his confession; “I am unworthy of all the lovingkindness and of all the faithfulness which You have shown to Your servant”! What was his posture? Bowed, Broken, Humbled, Undone! May he be a reminder and model to each of us of how we approach such a Holy God!