GENESIS 32:22-26
Some battles must be fought alone. There are times when no one can help us. This was just such a

time in Jacob’s life. Jacob’s trouble was himself—his self-will, self-purpose, self-defense, self-
desire and self-righteousness. Jacob’s self-life had to be dealt with, and God chose to do so while

Jacob was alone.
Jacob needed to learn that even though he was weak physically, he could be strong spiritually. It
took more than spiritual wrestling to convince Jacob of his need. God had been dealing with him
spiritually for more than 20 years, but Jacob had failed to learn. God now struggled with Jacob
physically because it was something Jacob could comprehend.
Jacob’s spiritual level of discernment was not mature enough for God to deal with him on a
spiritual basis alone. Sometimes God also has to deal with us on a physical level because this is
the only thing that some of us really understand. It may involve the loss of wealth, health or
family, but whatever it is, the loss is intended to draw us closer to the Lord.
If we cannot be led spiritually, the Lord will communicate with us in a language we can
understand. Let us become so sensitive to the Lord’s leading that He will be able to deal with us
purely on a spiritual basis.
But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy
Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly (Matt.
6:6).
Theodore Epp
www.backtothebible.in