Wrestling
Jacob’s life was a relentless struggle from the start. Even before birth, he wrestled with his twin brother Esau. As a young man, Jacob used deceit to claim Esau’s birthright and blessing, leading him to flee to his uncle Laban. There, Jacob faced another long battle, as Laban repeatedly deceived him, testing his patience. Yet Jacob’s perseverance saw him through years of hardship until he decided to return home.
The climax of Jacob’s struggle is in Genesis 32:24-30. Alone by the river, Jacob wrestled with a divine being through the night. This wasn’t just a physical fight; it symbolized Jacob’s lifelong struggle for control and blessing. As dawn approached, the divine being urged Jacob to let go, but Jacob, embodying his relentless spirit, demanded a blessing first. The being changed Jacob’s name to Israel, meaning “he who struggles with God,” acknowledging his perseverance and triumph.
I faced my own profound struggle with God when I received devastating news: “You have cancer.” The shock shattered my world, and fear overwhelmed me. As I wrestled with this harsh reality, I heard God ask, “Will you go too?” This echoed Jesus’ question to Peter about abandoning Him. Peter’s response, “Lord, to whom shall we go?” became my own. Through this turmoil, I realized that true faith is tested in the darkest moments, not when things are clear and easy.
James 1:3-4 reminds us, “Knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. Let endurance have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” Like Jacob, I wrestled with God, refusing to let go until I found peace and clarity. These trials reveal the depth of our faith and the strength gained through perseverance.
Spiritual wrestling reveals the true nature of our battles. Ephesians 6:12 tells us our struggle is against spiritual forces of evil, not merely physical opponents. Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s story illustrates this. As the Nazi regime spread darkness, Bonhoeffer faced a moral dilemma on how to respond. His decision to join the resistance, despite his pacifist beliefs, led to his imprisonment and eventual martyrdom. Bonhoeffer’s life shows that faith requires action, even in the face of profound evil.
Similarly, John Paton’s mission to the New Hebrides Islands faced fierce spiritual opposition. Despite physical attacks and threats from hostile tribes, Paton’s faith in prayer and divine protection remained steadfast. His journals describe moments of miraculous intervention and unwavering trust in God amidst spiritual battles.
These stories—Jacob’s, Bonhoeffer’s, and Paton’s—demonstrate that spiritual wrestling is not just about enduring trials but transforming through them. As we face our own struggles, we must prepare spiritually through prayer, scripture, and faith. 1 Peter 5:8 warns us to be watchful, recognizing that our true enemy, the devil, seeks whom he may devour.
Our wrestling with God, like Jacob’s, is an opportunity for deeper faith and transformation. By engaging in spiritual battles with persistence and reliance on God, we can navigate trials, grow in faith, and ultimately find victory in Him.