The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Genesis 32:24-30, “Then Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him until daybreak.
25 When he saw that he had not prevailed against him, he touched the socket of his thigh; so the socket of Jacob’s thigh was dislocated while he wrestled with him.
26 Then he said, ‘Let me go, for the dawn is breaking.’ But he said, ‘I will not let you go unless you bless me.’
27 So he said to him, ‘What is your name?’ And he said, ‘Jacob.’
28 He said, ‘Your name shall no longer be Jacob, but Israel; for you have striven with God and with men and have prevailed.’
29 Then Jacob asked him and said, ‘Please tell me your name.’ But he said, ‘Why is it that you ask my name?’ And he blessed him there.
30 So Jacob named the place Peniel, for he said, ‘I have seen God face to face, yet my life has been preserved.’”

When was the last time you wrestled? As I thought on that question, I realized that I had wrestled recently with my great-grandsons! Whew! You would be well advised to be prepared to defend yourself. My grands don’t know their own strength! Believe me, age is not a factor, at least as far as they are concerned.

Even more importantly, when was the last time you wrestled with God? You wanted to ask Him in prayer, but knew the virtual impossibility of obtaining what you were asking even before you dared to ask.

Jacob may have physically wrestled with God; I’m not sure about that. What I am
sure of is that God came out the victor! Why didn’t Jacob think of that before he
started wrestling? Why don’t we? We read the Word and the LORD speaks to us
through it. He identifies clearly what it is that He wants from us. We know He’s more powerful! We know He has our best interest at heart! Why do we object?

Human nature wants what human nature wants. Just observe babies. If they’re
pampered and allowed to have their way, they will grow up with the knowledge that they are always right and will, thereafter, always want their own way. I think that’s what happened with Jacob. Ultimately, however, Jacob sought the LORD’s blessing.

I know; it’s what happens to us as well. Maybe you’ve virtually lived and dreamed of becoming a golf pro; but the LORD wants you on the mission field in a foreign country. The question is: “Who knows what is best?” When you admit the LORD
knows best, you surrender to His will. His will is always best! Yield your life to Him!
In the short run –and long run—we always do well when we yield to the LORD!

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.
Springdale, Arkansas 72764
United States of America

“We never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom