WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.000 . 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:44.700 So, Genesis 32 is where we're at. 00:00:44.780 --> 00:00:47.900 We've been looking at the life of Jacob 00:00:47.900 --> 00:00:52.560 and his relationship with God 00:00:52.560 --> 00:00:56.600 and how God is slowly but surely changing him. 00:00:56.600 --> 00:01:00.460 And we come to a significant part in Jacob's life 00:01:00.460 --> 00:01:04.359 where God transforms him. 00:01:06.320 --> 00:01:08.980 So, we're going to read, then we're going to pray, 00:01:09.780 --> 00:01:11.939 and then look at this word together. 00:01:12.120 --> 00:01:15.900 So, let's read Genesis 32, starting at verse 22. 00:01:15.900 --> 00:01:27.520 That night, Jacob got up and took his two wives, 00:01:27.660 --> 00:01:31.520 his two female servants, his eleven sons, 00:01:32.460 --> 00:01:34.600 and crossed the ford of the Jebuk. 00:01:36.120 --> 00:01:38.420 After he'd sent them across the stream, 00:01:38.920 --> 00:01:41.160 he sent over all his possessions. 00:01:41.159 --> 00:01:44.899 So, Jacob was left alone, 00:01:46.259 --> 00:01:49.299 and a man wrestled with him till daybreak. 00:01:50.399 --> 00:01:53.979 When the man saw that he could not overpower Jacob, 00:01:54.420 --> 00:01:57.219 he touched the socket of Jacob's hip 00:01:57.219 --> 00:02:00.959 so that his hip was wrenched as he wrestled with the man. 00:02:02.259 --> 00:02:03.500 Then the man said, 00:02:04.299 --> 00:02:06.340 Let me go, for it is daybreak. 00:02:06.340 --> 00:02:09.060 But Jacob replied, 00:02:09.580 --> 00:02:13.520 I will not let you go unless you bless me. 00:02:15.020 --> 00:02:16.439 The man asked him, 00:02:16.879 --> 00:02:18.259 What is your name? 00:02:19.900 --> 00:02:21.819 Jacob, he answered. 00:02:22.840 --> 00:02:24.020 Then the man said, 00:02:24.099 --> 00:02:27.259 Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, 00:02:28.219 --> 00:02:30.159 because you have struggled with God 00:02:30.159 --> 00:02:32.580 and with humans and have overcome. 00:02:32.580 --> 00:02:35.700 Jacob said, 00:02:35.980 --> 00:02:37.420 Please tell me your name. 00:02:38.400 --> 00:02:39.540 But he replied, 00:02:40.140 --> 00:02:42.040 Why do you ask my name? 00:02:43.060 --> 00:02:44.780 Then he blessed him there. 00:02:46.439 --> 00:02:49.700 So Jacob called that place Peniel, 00:02:50.200 --> 00:02:50.560 saying, 00:02:51.180 --> 00:02:53.980 It is because I saw God face to face, 00:02:54.640 --> 00:02:57.140 and yet my life was spared. 00:02:57.139 --> 00:03:02.199 The sun rose above him as he passed Peniel, 00:03:02.859 --> 00:03:05.819 and he was limping because of his hip. 00:03:07.199 --> 00:03:08.500 Therefore, to this day, 00:03:08.639 --> 00:03:10.559 the Israelites do not eat the tendon 00:03:10.559 --> 00:03:12.339 attached to the socket of the hip, 00:03:13.219 --> 00:03:15.060 because the socket of Jacob's hip 00:03:15.060 --> 00:03:17.619 was touched near the tendon. 00:03:20.560 --> 00:03:24.299 Well, let's pray and ask for God's help. 00:03:24.300 --> 00:03:35.500 Father, we thank you for these records, 00:03:35.920 --> 00:03:37.439 these true accounts 00:03:37.439 --> 00:03:41.100 of the life of these ancient people, 00:03:42.100 --> 00:03:43.580 the living God, 00:03:43.700 --> 00:03:46.720 the same God that we worship today, 00:03:48.300 --> 00:03:52.700 working in the lives of people just like us. 00:03:52.699 --> 00:03:59.039 And so we pray that as we look at this story together, 00:04:00.079 --> 00:04:01.699 that we would learn something 00:04:02.219 --> 00:04:04.839 about the greatness of God, 00:04:05.780 --> 00:04:09.560 how we should respond to him, 00:04:11.019 --> 00:04:14.699 and how we should trust him 00:04:14.699 --> 00:04:17.519 for grace every day. 00:04:17.519 --> 00:04:22.459 Father, be gracious to us now, 00:04:23.000 --> 00:04:27.240 and help us with your Holy Spirit's power. 00:04:28.519 --> 00:04:30.919 In a sense, we ask that you would 00:04:30.919 --> 00:04:33.560 touch us afresh, 00:04:34.439 --> 00:04:38.899 so that we know that we are meeting with you. 00:04:38.899 --> 00:04:44.079 And this we ask in Jesus' name. 00:04:45.039 --> 00:04:45.439 Amen. 00:04:48.739 --> 00:04:51.639 Well, Jacob is in a terrible mess. 00:04:51.799 --> 00:04:54.060 That's often how we found him, isn't it? 00:04:54.560 --> 00:04:57.579 Having stolen his brother Esau's blessing, 00:04:58.239 --> 00:05:00.099 he had to run for his life. 00:05:00.100 --> 00:05:03.120 Now it's some 20 years later, 00:05:03.660 --> 00:05:05.640 and Jacob is on the verge 00:05:05.640 --> 00:05:09.100 of meeting his brother Esau. 00:05:10.100 --> 00:05:12.180 Not knowing how his brother 00:05:12.180 --> 00:05:14.100 is going to respond to him, 00:05:15.160 --> 00:05:17.800 Jacob sent some messengers ahead. 00:05:18.379 --> 00:05:20.960 Have a look back at verse 6, 00:05:21.120 --> 00:05:23.800 chapter 32, verse 6. 00:05:23.800 --> 00:05:27.000 So he's getting ready to meet his brother, 00:05:27.639 --> 00:05:29.460 and he sends messengers ahead. 00:05:29.639 --> 00:05:30.139 Verse 6. 00:05:30.579 --> 00:05:32.800 When the messengers returned to Jacob, 00:05:33.020 --> 00:05:33.480 they said, 00:05:33.939 --> 00:05:35.680 we went to your brother Esau, 00:05:36.199 --> 00:05:38.139 and now he's coming to meet you. 00:05:38.520 --> 00:05:41.439 And 400 men are with him. 00:05:41.759 --> 00:05:43.699 This is no welcoming party. 00:05:44.220 --> 00:05:46.139 This is an army. 00:05:48.740 --> 00:05:49.780 Verse 7. 00:05:49.780 --> 00:05:52.980 In great fear and distress, 00:05:53.800 --> 00:05:55.780 Jacob divided the people 00:05:55.780 --> 00:05:57.420 who were with him into two groups, 00:05:57.540 --> 00:05:58.759 and the flocks and herds 00:05:58.759 --> 00:05:59.720 and camels as well. 00:05:59.759 --> 00:06:00.199 He thought, 00:06:00.639 --> 00:06:03.220 well, if Esau comes and attacks one group, 00:06:03.560 --> 00:06:07.420 the group that is left may escape. 00:06:08.879 --> 00:06:11.379 What's Esau going to do to me? 00:06:12.840 --> 00:06:15.439 Well, Jacob does what most people do 00:06:15.439 --> 00:06:17.460 in a crisis, even atheists. 00:06:17.900 --> 00:06:19.980 They cry out to God. 00:06:20.480 --> 00:06:21.580 Look at verse 10. 00:06:21.579 --> 00:06:25.899 I am unworthy of all the kindness 00:06:25.899 --> 00:06:28.359 and faithfulness you've shown your servant. 00:06:29.039 --> 00:06:29.639 Verse 11. 00:06:30.300 --> 00:06:31.879 Save me, I pray, 00:06:32.000 --> 00:06:34.060 from the hand of my brother Esau, 00:06:34.219 --> 00:06:35.759 for I am afraid 00:06:35.759 --> 00:06:37.919 he will come and attack me. 00:06:39.959 --> 00:06:41.759 Now, full marks to Jacob 00:06:41.759 --> 00:06:43.279 for crying out to God 00:06:43.279 --> 00:06:44.719 for salvation and help, 00:06:45.000 --> 00:06:46.740 because that's a good thing, right? 00:06:46.740 --> 00:06:49.500 But you know what? 00:06:49.519 --> 00:06:51.439 It can also be a painful thing. 00:06:52.519 --> 00:06:55.199 You see, when God intervenes in our life, 00:06:55.860 --> 00:06:58.400 it's not always comfortable. 00:06:59.660 --> 00:07:03.600 Sometimes it feels like a wrestle. 00:07:05.540 --> 00:07:07.319 And so after Jacob prayed, 00:07:07.540 --> 00:07:09.939 he sends on all his family 00:07:09.939 --> 00:07:11.040 and all his people 00:07:11.040 --> 00:07:13.460 and all his servants ahead of him. 00:07:13.459 --> 00:07:14.979 verse 24. 00:07:17.060 --> 00:07:20.339 So Jacob was left alone. 00:07:22.979 --> 00:07:24.699 Now, can you picture him there? 00:07:25.319 --> 00:07:27.359 In the darkness of night, 00:07:28.500 --> 00:07:30.679 filled with fear about his brother, 00:07:31.179 --> 00:07:32.839 all alone. 00:07:32.839 --> 00:07:37.839 And God spoke softly to Jacob. 00:07:39.179 --> 00:07:41.359 Don't be afraid, my son. 00:07:42.000 --> 00:07:43.000 I'm with you. 00:07:43.099 --> 00:07:44.599 No harm will come to you. 00:07:45.000 --> 00:07:46.000 Be at peace. 00:07:49.379 --> 00:07:51.639 Except that's not what happened, is it? 00:07:53.339 --> 00:07:54.479 Let's consider 00:07:54.479 --> 00:07:56.599 Jacob's wrestle. 00:07:56.600 --> 00:07:58.920 First, 00:08:00.240 --> 00:08:02.480 we are perplexed 00:08:02.480 --> 00:08:04.620 by God's ways. 00:08:04.740 --> 00:08:06.879 We're perplexed by God's ways. 00:08:07.160 --> 00:08:08.020 Verse 24. 00:08:09.460 --> 00:08:10.140 Jacob 00:08:10.140 --> 00:08:12.379 was left alone. 00:08:14.140 --> 00:08:15.540 And out of nowhere, 00:08:15.760 --> 00:08:17.120 his body slammed 00:08:17.120 --> 00:08:18.500 to the ground. 00:08:19.439 --> 00:08:19.980 A man, 00:08:20.080 --> 00:08:20.700 verse 24, 00:08:20.939 --> 00:08:22.040 wrestled with him 00:08:22.040 --> 00:08:23.420 till daybreak. 00:08:23.680 --> 00:08:25.620 Rather than resting in peace, 00:08:25.620 --> 00:08:27.100 he finds himself 00:08:27.100 --> 00:08:27.840 wrestling 00:08:27.840 --> 00:08:29.139 all night. 00:08:29.980 --> 00:08:31.500 And what's perplexing 00:08:31.500 --> 00:08:32.100 for us 00:08:32.100 --> 00:08:33.360 is the identity 00:08:33.360 --> 00:08:35.000 of this wrestler. 00:08:35.419 --> 00:08:36.720 Look at verse 28. 00:08:38.500 --> 00:08:39.659 The man said, 00:08:40.419 --> 00:08:41.440 your name will no longer 00:08:41.440 --> 00:08:41.960 be Jacob, 00:08:42.080 --> 00:08:42.940 but Israel, 00:08:43.060 --> 00:08:43.720 because 00:08:43.720 --> 00:08:45.899 you have struggled 00:08:45.899 --> 00:08:46.519 with who? 00:08:47.639 --> 00:08:48.659 With God. 00:08:49.860 --> 00:08:50.500 In fact, 00:08:50.600 --> 00:08:51.480 Jacob goes on 00:08:51.480 --> 00:08:52.399 to confirm it 00:08:52.399 --> 00:08:53.279 in verse 30. 00:08:53.279 --> 00:08:54.639 Jacob called 00:08:54.639 --> 00:08:55.379 that place 00:08:55.379 --> 00:08:55.980 Peniel, 00:08:56.379 --> 00:08:56.720 saying, 00:08:57.120 --> 00:08:57.879 it is because 00:08:57.879 --> 00:08:59.059 I saw God 00:08:59.059 --> 00:09:01.159 face to face. 00:09:03.740 --> 00:09:04.659 Now, yes, 00:09:04.720 --> 00:09:05.379 later on 00:09:05.379 --> 00:09:06.279 in other scriptures, 00:09:06.939 --> 00:09:08.179 it is referred to 00:09:08.179 --> 00:09:08.879 the angel 00:09:08.879 --> 00:09:09.659 of the Lord, 00:09:09.819 --> 00:09:10.860 a person 00:09:10.860 --> 00:09:12.039 representing God, 00:09:12.139 --> 00:09:12.699 but what we're 00:09:12.699 --> 00:09:13.740 to get here is 00:09:13.740 --> 00:09:15.139 that this is no 00:09:15.139 --> 00:09:16.159 dream or vision. 00:09:16.579 --> 00:09:17.879 This is a full-on, 00:09:18.159 --> 00:09:19.139 in-person, 00:09:19.699 --> 00:09:20.159 wrestle 00:09:20.159 --> 00:09:21.679 with God. 00:09:23.059 --> 00:09:24.039 And it seems 00:09:24.039 --> 00:09:25.059 Jacob is not 00:09:25.059 --> 00:09:25.899 going to give up 00:09:25.899 --> 00:09:26.679 too easily. 00:09:27.379 --> 00:09:28.379 Verse 25. 00:09:29.699 --> 00:09:30.699 When the man 00:09:30.699 --> 00:09:31.579 saw that he 00:09:31.579 --> 00:09:32.059 could not 00:09:32.059 --> 00:09:32.980 overpower him, 00:09:33.259 --> 00:09:33.919 when he saw 00:09:33.919 --> 00:09:34.559 that Jacob 00:09:34.559 --> 00:09:35.899 wasn't giving up, 00:09:37.339 --> 00:09:38.360 he touched 00:09:38.360 --> 00:09:39.419 the socket 00:09:39.419 --> 00:09:40.559 of Jacob's hip 00:09:40.559 --> 00:09:41.980 so that his hip 00:09:41.980 --> 00:09:42.939 was wrenched 00:09:42.939 --> 00:09:44.240 as he wrestled 00:09:44.240 --> 00:09:45.319 with the man. 00:09:46.519 --> 00:09:47.059 Now, 00:09:47.159 --> 00:09:48.039 you might be 00:09:48.039 --> 00:09:48.839 into MMA, 00:09:49.899 --> 00:09:50.639 but you know 00:09:50.639 --> 00:09:51.240 that if you're 00:09:51.240 --> 00:09:51.860 going to cause 00:09:51.860 --> 00:09:52.519 a strain 00:09:52.519 --> 00:09:53.480 to your opponent, 00:09:53.839 --> 00:09:54.620 you have to 00:09:54.620 --> 00:09:55.559 land a big 00:09:55.559 --> 00:09:56.319 heavy blow. 00:09:57.919 --> 00:09:58.360 Well, 00:09:58.419 --> 00:09:58.899 as God 00:09:58.899 --> 00:09:59.559 wrestles 00:09:59.559 --> 00:10:00.179 with Jacob, 00:10:00.419 --> 00:10:01.179 he just 00:10:01.179 --> 00:10:03.360 touches 00:10:03.360 --> 00:10:05.299 Jacob's hip 00:10:05.299 --> 00:10:06.959 and he's 00:10:06.959 --> 00:10:07.360 left with 00:10:07.360 --> 00:10:07.959 a hobble 00:10:07.959 --> 00:10:09.500 and a limp. 00:10:10.559 --> 00:10:11.079 What 00:10:11.079 --> 00:10:11.980 awesome 00:10:11.980 --> 00:10:12.799 power! 00:10:14.199 --> 00:10:14.819 With just 00:10:14.819 --> 00:10:16.120 a touch, 00:10:16.120 --> 00:10:17.440 God 00:10:17.440 --> 00:10:18.240 strikes 00:10:18.240 --> 00:10:18.659 him, 00:10:19.740 --> 00:10:20.279 God 00:10:20.279 --> 00:10:21.440 injures 00:10:21.440 --> 00:10:21.919 him, 00:10:23.500 --> 00:10:24.060 God 00:10:24.060 --> 00:10:24.840 causes 00:10:24.840 --> 00:10:25.320 him 00:10:25.320 --> 00:10:26.379 pain. 00:10:28.700 --> 00:10:28.919 Well, 00:10:28.919 --> 00:10:29.259 you say, 00:10:29.360 --> 00:10:30.159 God can't 00:10:30.159 --> 00:10:31.159 do that. 00:10:32.100 --> 00:10:32.480 Isn't 00:10:32.480 --> 00:10:32.899 God 00:10:32.899 --> 00:10:33.879 tender 00:10:33.879 --> 00:10:34.779 and gracious? 00:10:35.940 --> 00:10:36.360 Isn't 00:10:36.360 --> 00:10:36.899 God the 00:10:36.899 --> 00:10:37.580 one who's 00:10:37.580 --> 00:10:38.419 gentle 00:10:38.419 --> 00:10:39.399 and kind? 00:10:39.759 --> 00:10:40.060 No, 00:10:40.340 --> 00:10:41.100 my God 00:10:41.100 --> 00:10:41.820 doesn't do 00:10:41.820 --> 00:10:42.500 this kind 00:10:42.500 --> 00:10:42.960 of thing, 00:10:43.419 --> 00:10:44.460 but he 00:10:44.460 --> 00:10:45.100 does. 00:10:46.120 --> 00:10:46.879 It's 00:10:46.879 --> 00:10:48.019 perplexing. 00:10:48.480 --> 00:10:49.080 It's 00:10:49.080 --> 00:10:49.759 troubling. 00:10:51.700 --> 00:10:52.080 You see, 00:10:52.159 --> 00:10:52.639 it seems 00:10:52.639 --> 00:10:53.120 we can 00:10:53.120 --> 00:10:53.759 cope with 00:10:53.759 --> 00:10:54.259 a God 00:10:54.259 --> 00:10:54.720 that we 00:10:54.720 --> 00:10:55.360 invite 00:10:55.360 --> 00:10:56.000 into our 00:10:56.000 --> 00:10:56.560 presence 00:10:56.560 --> 00:10:57.399 to bring 00:10:57.399 --> 00:10:58.179 his peace, 00:10:59.039 --> 00:10:59.639 but we 00:10:59.639 --> 00:11:00.240 don't do 00:11:00.240 --> 00:11:00.820 so well 00:11:00.820 --> 00:11:01.220 with a 00:11:01.220 --> 00:11:01.700 God who 00:11:01.700 --> 00:11:02.240 invades 00:11:02.240 --> 00:11:02.840 our life 00:11:02.840 --> 00:11:03.440 and causes 00:11:03.440 --> 00:11:04.200 a fight. 00:11:06.620 --> 00:11:07.560 We like 00:11:07.560 --> 00:11:07.980 a God 00:11:07.980 --> 00:11:08.360 that we 00:11:08.360 --> 00:11:09.179 can control 00:11:09.179 --> 00:11:09.539 and a 00:11:09.539 --> 00:11:09.980 God who 00:11:09.980 --> 00:11:10.659 does what 00:11:10.659 --> 00:11:11.500 we say, 00:11:12.440 --> 00:11:12.960 but a 00:11:12.960 --> 00:11:13.399 God who 00:11:13.399 --> 00:11:13.799 comes 00:11:13.799 --> 00:11:14.679 unannounced 00:11:14.679 --> 00:11:16.720 and weakens 00:11:16.720 --> 00:11:17.279 us. 00:11:19.079 --> 00:11:19.679 Well, 00:11:19.720 --> 00:11:20.199 isn't that 00:11:20.199 --> 00:11:21.079 perplexing? 00:11:23.199 --> 00:11:24.279 Why would 00:11:24.279 --> 00:11:24.860 God 00:11:24.860 --> 00:11:25.899 wrestle with 00:11:25.899 --> 00:11:26.720 Jacob like 00:11:26.720 --> 00:11:26.980 this? 00:11:27.259 --> 00:11:28.019 Why would 00:11:28.019 --> 00:11:28.639 God 00:11:28.639 --> 00:11:29.959 touch him 00:11:29.959 --> 00:11:31.100 and cause 00:11:31.100 --> 00:11:31.639 him harm? 00:11:31.939 --> 00:11:32.740 Why take 00:11:32.740 --> 00:11:33.319 him out? 00:11:34.360 --> 00:11:35.279 God can't 00:11:35.279 --> 00:11:36.139 do that 00:11:36.139 --> 00:11:36.639 sort of 00:11:36.639 --> 00:11:36.939 thing. 00:11:40.000 --> 00:11:40.240 Well, 00:11:40.279 --> 00:11:41.079 sometimes God 00:11:41.080 --> 00:11:41.720 doesn't fit 00:11:41.720 --> 00:11:42.300 into our 00:11:42.300 --> 00:11:42.900 manageable 00:11:42.900 --> 00:11:43.660 box. 00:11:44.960 --> 00:11:45.940 Sometimes God 00:11:45.940 --> 00:11:47.040 does confront 00:11:47.040 --> 00:11:47.360 us. 00:11:47.840 --> 00:11:48.960 Sometimes God 00:11:48.960 --> 00:11:50.080 goes on the 00:11:50.080 --> 00:11:50.780 offensive. 00:11:53.300 --> 00:11:54.500 It seems 00:11:54.500 --> 00:11:55.240 God can 00:11:55.240 --> 00:11:55.720 bring 00:11:55.720 --> 00:11:57.259 discomfort 00:11:57.259 --> 00:11:59.220 and he 00:11:59.220 --> 00:11:59.940 will allow 00:11:59.940 --> 00:12:01.100 trouble so 00:12:01.100 --> 00:12:01.600 that we 00:12:01.600 --> 00:12:03.080 might face 00:12:03.080 --> 00:12:03.720 God and 00:12:03.720 --> 00:12:04.800 perhaps deal 00:12:04.800 --> 00:12:06.220 with God. 00:12:07.360 --> 00:12:08.540 Sometimes he 00:12:08.540 --> 00:12:09.280 needs to get 00:12:09.280 --> 00:12:09.960 our attention 00:12:09.960 --> 00:12:11.400 and sometimes 00:12:11.400 --> 00:12:12.100 it's in the 00:12:12.100 --> 00:12:12.759 times of 00:12:12.759 --> 00:12:13.280 wrestling 00:12:13.280 --> 00:12:14.759 that he 00:12:14.759 --> 00:12:15.500 gets it. 00:12:17.360 --> 00:12:18.220 Make no 00:12:18.220 --> 00:12:18.680 mistake, 00:12:18.860 --> 00:12:19.519 God is no 00:12:19.519 --> 00:12:20.280 more loving 00:12:20.280 --> 00:12:21.200 in times of 00:12:21.200 --> 00:12:22.940 peace and 00:12:22.940 --> 00:12:23.519 he is no 00:12:23.519 --> 00:12:24.940 less loving 00:12:24.940 --> 00:12:26.519 in times of 00:12:26.519 --> 00:12:27.100 turmoil. 00:12:28.200 --> 00:12:28.740 It's just 00:12:28.740 --> 00:12:29.580 that God 00:12:29.580 --> 00:12:30.980 works in 00:12:30.980 --> 00:12:32.180 all kinds 00:12:32.180 --> 00:12:32.759 of different 00:12:32.759 --> 00:12:33.340 ways. 00:12:35.320 --> 00:12:36.379 So first, 00:12:36.560 --> 00:12:37.360 God's ways 00:12:37.360 --> 00:12:37.840 are 00:12:37.840 --> 00:12:39.480 perplexing. 00:12:39.960 --> 00:12:42.480 second, 00:12:43.280 --> 00:12:46.280 we are 00:12:46.280 --> 00:12:47.120 transformed 00:12:47.120 --> 00:12:49.220 by God's 00:12:49.220 --> 00:12:49.720 touch. 00:12:50.820 --> 00:12:51.600 We may 00:12:51.600 --> 00:12:52.500 find God's 00:12:52.500 --> 00:12:52.780 ways 00:12:52.780 --> 00:12:53.940 perplexing 00:12:53.940 --> 00:12:55.480 but they 00:12:55.480 --> 00:12:56.280 lead to 00:12:56.280 --> 00:12:57.360 a transformed 00:12:57.360 --> 00:12:58.040 life. 00:12:59.400 --> 00:12:59.860 Look at 00:12:59.860 --> 00:13:00.759 verse 26. 00:13:00.759 --> 00:13:02.700 In the 00:13:02.700 --> 00:13:03.240 midst of the 00:13:03.240 --> 00:13:03.680 wrestle, 00:13:05.220 --> 00:13:05.720 the man 00:13:05.720 --> 00:13:06.280 said, 00:13:06.279 --> 00:13:08.059 let go 00:13:08.059 --> 00:13:08.740 for it 00:13:08.740 --> 00:13:09.600 is day 00:13:09.600 --> 00:13:10.100 break. 00:13:11.199 --> 00:13:11.839 Surrender, 00:13:12.100 --> 00:13:12.419 Jacob. 00:13:13.159 --> 00:13:13.799 Submit. 00:13:15.139 --> 00:13:15.659 But it 00:13:15.659 --> 00:13:16.419 seems Jacob 00:13:16.419 --> 00:13:17.039 isn't for 00:13:17.039 --> 00:13:17.639 letting go. 00:13:17.799 --> 00:13:18.159 He's 00:13:18.159 --> 00:13:19.139 stubborn. 00:13:19.459 --> 00:13:19.839 He's 00:13:19.839 --> 00:13:21.039 refusing to 00:13:21.039 --> 00:13:21.559 give up. 00:13:22.079 --> 00:13:22.799 Now this 00:13:22.799 --> 00:13:23.399 is a high 00:13:23.399 --> 00:13:24.480 risk strategy 00:13:24.480 --> 00:13:25.419 on Jacob's 00:13:25.419 --> 00:13:25.720 side, 00:13:25.799 --> 00:13:26.179 isn't it? 00:13:26.319 --> 00:13:26.980 Because the 00:13:26.980 --> 00:13:27.759 last time he 00:13:27.759 --> 00:13:28.620 refused to 00:13:28.620 --> 00:13:29.120 let go, 00:13:29.600 --> 00:13:30.259 he gets 00:13:30.259 --> 00:13:31.039 touched 00:13:31.039 --> 00:13:32.399 and he's 00:13:32.399 --> 00:13:32.799 severely 00:13:32.799 --> 00:13:33.459 weakened. 00:13:33.819 --> 00:13:34.539 Who knows 00:13:34.539 --> 00:13:34.939 what will 00:13:34.939 --> 00:13:35.439 happen if 00:13:35.439 --> 00:13:36.199 God touches 00:13:36.199 --> 00:13:36.779 him again? 00:13:37.240 --> 00:13:37.939 He could 00:13:37.939 --> 00:13:38.480 die. 00:13:40.799 --> 00:13:41.379 What's 00:13:41.379 --> 00:13:42.039 going on? 00:13:43.159 --> 00:13:43.699 Well this 00:13:43.699 --> 00:13:44.240 is more than 00:13:44.240 --> 00:13:44.879 just plain 00:13:44.879 --> 00:13:45.899 stubbornness and 00:13:45.899 --> 00:13:46.719 stupidity. 00:13:47.139 --> 00:13:48.059 This is an 00:13:48.059 --> 00:13:48.879 act of 00:13:48.879 --> 00:13:49.860 faith. 00:13:51.480 --> 00:13:51.799 You see, 00:13:51.899 --> 00:13:52.779 Jacob's life 00:13:52.779 --> 00:13:53.179 has been 00:13:53.179 --> 00:13:54.139 filled with 00:13:54.139 --> 00:13:55.319 struggles and 00:13:55.319 --> 00:13:55.759 fights. 00:13:55.759 --> 00:13:56.779 he's always 00:13:56.779 --> 00:13:57.580 trying to 00:13:57.580 --> 00:13:58.240 get ahead, 00:13:58.700 --> 00:13:59.379 cheating and 00:13:59.379 --> 00:13:59.980 lying to 00:13:59.980 --> 00:14:00.480 get what he 00:14:00.480 --> 00:14:00.960 wants, 00:14:01.659 --> 00:14:02.460 looking and 00:14:02.460 --> 00:14:03.139 searching for 00:14:03.139 --> 00:14:03.639 the blessed 00:14:03.639 --> 00:14:04.000 life. 00:14:04.299 --> 00:14:04.840 Now it 00:14:04.840 --> 00:14:05.819 seems God 00:14:05.819 --> 00:14:07.059 is going to 00:14:07.059 --> 00:14:07.740 struggle with 00:14:07.740 --> 00:14:08.059 Jacob. 00:14:09.500 --> 00:14:10.120 And Jacob 00:14:10.120 --> 00:14:10.819 must learn 00:14:10.819 --> 00:14:11.240 that it's 00:14:11.240 --> 00:14:12.000 not what 00:14:12.000 --> 00:14:12.759 he wants 00:14:12.759 --> 00:14:13.439 in life, 00:14:14.299 --> 00:14:15.100 but who 00:14:15.100 --> 00:14:16.019 he needs 00:14:16.019 --> 00:14:17.319 in life. 00:14:18.220 --> 00:14:18.819 Not what 00:14:18.819 --> 00:14:19.480 he wants, 00:14:20.500 --> 00:14:21.139 but who 00:14:21.139 --> 00:14:22.019 he needs. 00:14:22.799 --> 00:14:23.559 So God 00:14:23.559 --> 00:14:24.259 brings him 00:14:24.259 --> 00:14:25.080 to a place 00:14:25.080 --> 00:14:25.659 where his 00:14:25.659 --> 00:14:26.779 life is 00:14:26.779 --> 00:14:28.019 changed and 00:14:28.019 --> 00:14:28.779 transformed. 00:14:30.659 --> 00:14:31.559 There's three 00:14:31.559 --> 00:14:32.439 steps or 00:14:32.439 --> 00:14:33.379 three moves 00:14:33.379 --> 00:14:33.860 in this 00:14:33.860 --> 00:14:35.339 wrestle that 00:14:35.339 --> 00:14:36.339 show us how 00:14:36.339 --> 00:14:37.139 we can have 00:14:37.139 --> 00:14:38.159 a transformed 00:14:38.159 --> 00:14:39.639 life as we 00:14:39.639 --> 00:14:40.719 meet with 00:14:40.719 --> 00:14:41.159 God. 00:14:42.379 --> 00:14:43.139 First, 00:14:44.059 --> 00:14:44.819 submission. 00:14:46.279 --> 00:14:46.639 Again, 00:14:46.740 --> 00:14:47.240 let's read 00:14:47.240 --> 00:14:48.259 verse 26. 00:14:49.139 --> 00:14:49.600 The man 00:14:49.600 --> 00:14:51.419 said to 00:14:51.419 --> 00:14:51.759 Jacob, 00:14:51.959 --> 00:14:52.679 let me go 00:14:52.679 --> 00:14:53.240 for it is 00:14:53.240 --> 00:14:53.819 daybreak. 00:14:53.939 --> 00:14:54.480 But Jacob 00:14:54.480 --> 00:14:55.039 replied, 00:14:55.659 --> 00:14:56.439 I will 00:14:56.439 --> 00:14:56.919 not let 00:14:56.919 --> 00:14:57.279 you go 00:14:57.279 --> 00:14:57.819 unless you 00:14:57.819 --> 00:14:58.480 bless me. 00:14:59.600 --> 00:15:00.159 Jacob's 00:15:00.159 --> 00:15:00.779 not letting 00:15:00.779 --> 00:15:01.199 go, 00:15:01.559 --> 00:15:02.319 not because 00:15:02.319 --> 00:15:03.059 he thinks 00:15:03.059 --> 00:15:03.559 he's more 00:15:03.559 --> 00:15:04.399 powerful than 00:15:04.399 --> 00:15:04.860 God, 00:15:05.139 --> 00:15:05.679 but because 00:15:05.679 --> 00:15:06.360 he finally 00:15:06.360 --> 00:15:07.439 realizes that 00:15:07.439 --> 00:15:07.939 God is 00:15:07.939 --> 00:15:08.919 stronger and 00:15:08.919 --> 00:15:09.679 greater than 00:15:09.679 --> 00:15:10.000 him. 00:15:10.959 --> 00:15:11.519 All his 00:15:11.519 --> 00:15:12.179 life he's 00:15:12.179 --> 00:15:13.259 been scheming 00:15:13.259 --> 00:15:14.039 and deceiving, 00:15:14.519 --> 00:15:15.019 trying to 00:15:15.019 --> 00:15:15.539 plot and 00:15:15.539 --> 00:15:16.039 plan his 00:15:16.039 --> 00:15:16.719 own way in 00:15:16.719 --> 00:15:17.039 life. 00:15:17.399 --> 00:15:18.000 Now he 00:15:18.000 --> 00:15:18.860 finds himself 00:15:18.860 --> 00:15:19.480 in a place 00:15:19.480 --> 00:15:20.159 of weakness 00:15:20.159 --> 00:15:21.819 and helplessness. 00:15:21.820 --> 00:15:22.440 he's 00:15:22.440 --> 00:15:22.920 literally 00:15:22.920 --> 00:15:23.840 been brought 00:15:23.840 --> 00:15:24.420 to his 00:15:24.420 --> 00:15:25.000 knees. 00:15:25.480 --> 00:15:26.040 Here is a 00:15:26.040 --> 00:15:26.500 man who 00:15:26.500 --> 00:15:27.160 stopped 00:15:27.160 --> 00:15:28.100 fighting with 00:15:28.100 --> 00:15:29.020 God and 00:15:29.020 --> 00:15:30.480 has surrendered 00:15:30.480 --> 00:15:32.140 to God. 00:15:35.340 --> 00:15:36.460 So first, 00:15:36.580 --> 00:15:37.000 there's a 00:15:37.000 --> 00:15:37.480 submission. 00:15:39.540 --> 00:15:40.480 And then 00:15:40.480 --> 00:15:40.820 second, 00:15:40.980 --> 00:15:41.340 there's a 00:15:41.340 --> 00:15:41.940 confession. 00:15:42.940 --> 00:15:43.960 Verse 27. 00:15:45.400 --> 00:15:46.040 The man 00:15:46.040 --> 00:15:46.640 asked him, 00:15:46.639 --> 00:15:48.259 what's 00:15:48.259 --> 00:15:48.799 your name? 00:15:50.519 --> 00:15:50.720 Well, 00:15:50.720 --> 00:15:51.019 it seems 00:15:51.019 --> 00:15:51.480 quite a 00:15:51.480 --> 00:15:51.799 pointless 00:15:51.799 --> 00:15:52.840 question because 00:15:52.840 --> 00:15:53.419 of course 00:15:53.419 --> 00:15:54.340 God knows 00:15:54.340 --> 00:15:54.960 who he is 00:15:54.960 --> 00:15:55.460 and knows 00:15:55.460 --> 00:15:55.860 what his 00:15:55.860 --> 00:15:56.480 name is. 00:15:57.379 --> 00:15:58.379 So why 00:15:58.379 --> 00:15:59.179 ask him 00:15:59.179 --> 00:15:59.559 what his 00:15:59.559 --> 00:16:00.220 name is? 00:16:01.100 --> 00:16:01.519 Well, 00:16:01.559 --> 00:16:02.059 it seems 00:16:02.059 --> 00:16:02.639 it's to 00:16:02.639 --> 00:16:03.340 draw out 00:16:03.340 --> 00:16:03.919 of Jacob 00:16:03.919 --> 00:16:05.199 to face 00:16:05.199 --> 00:16:05.600 up to 00:16:05.600 --> 00:16:06.080 his own 00:16:06.080 --> 00:16:06.879 reality of 00:16:06.879 --> 00:16:07.279 who he 00:16:07.279 --> 00:16:07.720 is. 00:16:08.980 --> 00:16:09.480 Yes, 00:16:09.480 --> 00:16:10.379 my name 00:16:10.379 --> 00:16:11.779 is Jacob. 00:16:13.159 --> 00:16:13.639 And we 00:16:13.639 --> 00:16:14.240 know what 00:16:14.240 --> 00:16:15.059 Jacob means. 00:16:15.240 --> 00:16:15.740 He's the 00:16:15.740 --> 00:16:16.480 deceiver. 00:16:17.399 --> 00:16:17.580 The 00:16:17.580 --> 00:16:18.199 schemer. 00:16:19.179 --> 00:16:19.559 Yes, 00:16:19.600 --> 00:16:20.100 I'm a 00:16:20.100 --> 00:16:20.539 cheater 00:16:20.539 --> 00:16:20.960 and a 00:16:20.960 --> 00:16:21.600 stealer. 00:16:21.699 --> 00:16:22.179 I'm a 00:16:22.179 --> 00:16:22.720 liar and 00:16:22.720 --> 00:16:23.279 a fraud. 00:16:24.460 --> 00:16:25.080 This is 00:16:25.080 --> 00:16:25.519 who I 00:16:25.519 --> 00:16:25.799 am. 00:16:25.840 --> 00:16:26.360 I'm a 00:16:26.360 --> 00:16:26.659 sinner. 00:16:27.580 --> 00:16:27.960 Can you 00:16:27.960 --> 00:16:28.580 see that 00:16:28.580 --> 00:16:28.919 in the 00:16:28.919 --> 00:16:29.379 midst of 00:16:29.379 --> 00:16:29.840 all this 00:16:29.840 --> 00:16:30.360 wrestle, 00:16:30.600 --> 00:16:31.139 all the 00:16:31.139 --> 00:16:32.159 hiding is 00:16:32.159 --> 00:16:32.580 gone? 00:16:34.080 --> 00:16:34.679 Jacob 00:16:34.679 --> 00:16:35.259 freely 00:16:35.259 --> 00:16:36.220 admits to 00:16:36.220 --> 00:16:36.879 who he 00:16:36.879 --> 00:16:37.559 is. 00:16:40.819 --> 00:16:41.460 And 00:16:41.460 --> 00:16:41.659 then 00:16:41.659 --> 00:16:42.220 third, 00:16:44.179 --> 00:16:45.340 there is 00:16:45.340 --> 00:16:46.620 desperation. 00:16:46.639 --> 00:16:46.759 temptation. 00:16:48.519 --> 00:16:48.799 You see, 00:16:48.899 --> 00:16:49.279 through the 00:16:49.279 --> 00:16:49.639 wrestle, 00:16:49.799 --> 00:16:50.319 Jacob is 00:16:50.319 --> 00:16:51.279 confronted and 00:16:51.279 --> 00:16:52.019 challenged by 00:16:52.019 --> 00:16:52.580 God and 00:16:52.580 --> 00:16:53.500 at last, 00:16:53.699 --> 00:16:54.679 Jacob finally 00:16:54.679 --> 00:16:55.860 sees it's 00:16:55.860 --> 00:16:56.500 no longer 00:16:56.500 --> 00:16:57.240 about what 00:16:57.240 --> 00:16:57.960 he wants 00:16:57.960 --> 00:16:58.639 for himself 00:16:58.639 --> 00:16:59.220 but who 00:16:59.220 --> 00:17:00.259 he needs. 00:17:02.159 --> 00:17:02.960 Read verse 00:17:02.960 --> 00:17:03.980 26 again, 00:17:03.980 --> 00:17:04.400 then the 00:17:04.400 --> 00:17:05.039 man said, 00:17:05.120 --> 00:17:05.680 let me go 00:17:05.680 --> 00:17:06.140 for this 00:17:06.140 --> 00:17:06.860 daybreak. 00:17:07.420 --> 00:17:07.860 But 00:17:07.860 --> 00:17:08.740 Jacob replied, 00:17:09.140 --> 00:17:09.700 I will 00:17:09.700 --> 00:17:10.539 not let 00:17:10.539 --> 00:17:11.500 go unless 00:17:11.500 --> 00:17:12.620 you bless 00:17:12.620 --> 00:17:12.960 me. 00:17:14.519 --> 00:17:16.180 I need 00:17:16.180 --> 00:17:16.480 you, 00:17:16.599 --> 00:17:17.019 God. 00:17:17.860 --> 00:17:19.019 I need 00:17:19.019 --> 00:17:19.779 your help. 00:17:20.059 --> 00:17:20.960 I need 00:17:20.960 --> 00:17:21.759 your blessing. 00:17:22.900 --> 00:17:23.400 I'm 00:17:23.400 --> 00:17:24.019 desperate 00:17:24.019 --> 00:17:24.779 for you. 00:17:26.160 --> 00:17:26.640 In fact, 00:17:26.740 --> 00:17:27.579 Jacob knows 00:17:27.579 --> 00:17:28.099 that by 00:17:28.099 --> 00:17:28.900 hanging on 00:17:28.900 --> 00:17:29.299 and not 00:17:29.299 --> 00:17:29.960 letting go, 00:17:30.240 --> 00:17:30.700 he could 00:17:30.700 --> 00:17:31.200 die. 00:17:31.200 --> 00:17:32.200 God could 00:17:32.200 --> 00:17:32.799 touch him 00:17:32.799 --> 00:17:33.200 again, 00:17:33.519 --> 00:17:34.220 but that's 00:17:34.220 --> 00:17:34.799 just how 00:17:34.799 --> 00:17:35.640 desperate he 00:17:35.640 --> 00:17:35.980 is. 00:17:36.319 --> 00:17:36.960 I need 00:17:36.960 --> 00:17:37.640 your blessing 00:17:37.640 --> 00:17:38.440 so much, 00:17:38.539 --> 00:17:38.980 I will 00:17:38.980 --> 00:17:39.880 die for 00:17:39.880 --> 00:17:40.279 it. 00:17:41.720 --> 00:17:42.400 He's 00:17:42.400 --> 00:17:43.039 desperate 00:17:43.039 --> 00:17:43.840 for God 00:17:43.840 --> 00:17:44.519 and he 00:17:44.519 --> 00:17:45.019 will do 00:17:45.019 --> 00:17:45.980 anything to 00:17:45.980 --> 00:17:46.940 experience 00:17:46.940 --> 00:17:47.740 God's 00:17:47.740 --> 00:17:48.559 blessing in 00:17:48.559 --> 00:17:49.279 his life. 00:17:49.279 --> 00:17:51.279 God's 00:17:51.279 --> 00:17:53.279 blessing in 00:17:53.279 --> 00:17:54.279 life. 00:17:54.279 --> 00:17:55.559 You see, 00:17:55.680 --> 00:17:56.259 submission 00:17:56.259 --> 00:17:58.799 and confession 00:17:58.799 --> 00:18:01.079 and a 00:18:01.079 --> 00:18:01.619 heart of 00:18:01.619 --> 00:18:02.420 desperation 00:18:02.420 --> 00:18:04.139 leads to 00:18:04.139 --> 00:18:04.980 a life of 00:18:04.980 --> 00:18:06.079 transformation. 00:18:07.279 --> 00:18:08.420 Verse 28, 00:18:09.839 --> 00:18:10.500 the man 00:18:10.500 --> 00:18:11.079 said, 00:18:11.460 --> 00:18:12.819 you will 00:18:12.819 --> 00:18:13.299 no longer 00:18:13.299 --> 00:18:14.039 be called 00:18:14.039 --> 00:18:14.619 Jacob, 00:18:14.879 --> 00:18:15.759 the deceiver, 00:18:16.759 --> 00:18:17.720 but you 00:18:17.720 --> 00:18:18.299 will now be 00:18:18.299 --> 00:18:19.519 called Israel 00:18:19.519 --> 00:18:20.099 because, 00:18:20.319 --> 00:18:20.480 well, 00:18:20.539 --> 00:18:21.299 Israel means 00:18:21.299 --> 00:18:21.839 you've 00:18:21.839 --> 00:18:22.299 struggled 00:18:22.299 --> 00:18:23.019 with God 00:18:23.019 --> 00:18:23.379 and with 00:18:23.379 --> 00:18:24.000 humans and 00:18:24.000 --> 00:18:24.619 you have 00:18:24.619 --> 00:18:26.220 overcome, 00:18:26.619 --> 00:18:27.079 you have 00:18:27.079 --> 00:18:27.579 won. 00:18:29.079 --> 00:18:29.919 Jacob is 00:18:29.919 --> 00:18:30.460 given a 00:18:30.460 --> 00:18:30.980 new name. 00:18:31.460 --> 00:18:32.359 Israel will 00:18:32.359 --> 00:18:32.879 now be 00:18:32.879 --> 00:18:33.359 your new 00:18:33.359 --> 00:18:33.659 name. 00:18:34.019 --> 00:18:34.579 This is a 00:18:34.579 --> 00:18:35.159 mark of 00:18:35.159 --> 00:18:36.159 victory. 00:18:38.000 --> 00:18:38.279 Well, 00:18:38.319 --> 00:18:39.220 that's strange, 00:18:39.379 --> 00:18:39.879 isn't it? 00:18:40.779 --> 00:18:41.779 That Jacob 00:18:41.779 --> 00:18:42.879 is overcome, 00:18:43.200 --> 00:18:43.919 that he is 00:18:43.919 --> 00:18:44.539 victorious, 00:18:44.980 --> 00:18:45.480 does that 00:18:45.480 --> 00:18:46.200 mean Jacob 00:18:46.200 --> 00:18:46.819 was somehow 00:18:46.819 --> 00:18:47.839 more powerful 00:18:47.839 --> 00:18:48.539 than God? 00:18:50.059 --> 00:18:50.359 No, 00:18:50.480 --> 00:18:51.220 Jacob didn't 00:18:51.220 --> 00:18:52.159 win because 00:18:52.159 --> 00:18:53.740 God surrendered 00:18:53.740 --> 00:18:54.539 to him. 00:18:55.740 --> 00:18:56.699 Jacob won 00:18:56.699 --> 00:18:57.699 because he 00:18:57.699 --> 00:18:59.039 surrendered to 00:18:59.039 --> 00:18:59.579 God. 00:19:00.539 --> 00:19:01.439 The purpose 00:19:01.439 --> 00:19:01.939 of the 00:19:01.939 --> 00:19:02.359 wrestle, 00:19:02.779 --> 00:19:03.319 the purpose 00:19:03.319 --> 00:19:03.759 of the 00:19:03.759 --> 00:19:04.199 touch, 00:19:04.459 --> 00:19:04.939 was to 00:19:04.939 --> 00:19:05.879 bring Jacob 00:19:05.879 --> 00:19:06.639 to a point 00:19:06.639 --> 00:19:07.599 of desperation, 00:19:07.919 --> 00:19:08.779 to bring him 00:19:08.779 --> 00:19:09.599 to his knees 00:19:09.599 --> 00:19:10.199 so that he 00:19:10.199 --> 00:19:11.159 cries out to 00:19:11.159 --> 00:19:11.679 God for 00:19:11.679 --> 00:19:12.079 mercy, 00:19:12.319 --> 00:19:13.179 bless me. 00:19:13.180 --> 00:19:17.220 Jacob won 00:19:17.220 --> 00:19:19.180 by admitting 00:19:19.180 --> 00:19:20.019 defeat. 00:19:21.500 --> 00:19:22.120 Jacob is 00:19:22.120 --> 00:19:22.900 victorious 00:19:22.900 --> 00:19:23.700 because he 00:19:23.700 --> 00:19:24.360 knew he 00:19:24.360 --> 00:19:24.840 couldn't 00:19:24.840 --> 00:19:25.960 beat God. 00:19:29.960 --> 00:19:30.840 Hosea, 00:19:30.960 --> 00:19:31.480 the prophet, 00:19:32.620 --> 00:19:33.539 later on 00:19:33.539 --> 00:19:34.560 comments on 00:19:34.560 --> 00:19:35.240 this very 00:19:35.240 --> 00:19:35.759 event. 00:19:37.000 --> 00:19:37.580 And as he 00:19:37.580 --> 00:19:38.460 speaks about 00:19:38.460 --> 00:19:38.860 Jacob, 00:19:39.080 --> 00:19:39.680 this is what 00:19:39.680 --> 00:19:40.460 he says. 00:19:40.460 --> 00:19:42.799 he's speaking 00:19:42.799 --> 00:19:43.420 of Jacob, 00:19:43.579 --> 00:19:44.039 he says, 00:19:44.100 --> 00:19:44.819 as a man, 00:19:45.380 --> 00:19:46.319 he struggled 00:19:46.319 --> 00:19:47.440 with God. 00:19:48.279 --> 00:19:49.220 He struggled 00:19:49.220 --> 00:19:49.840 with the 00:19:49.840 --> 00:19:50.819 angel and 00:19:50.819 --> 00:19:51.660 overcame 00:19:51.660 --> 00:19:51.980 him. 00:19:53.259 --> 00:19:54.340 He wept 00:19:54.340 --> 00:19:56.460 and begged 00:19:56.460 --> 00:19:57.380 for his 00:19:57.380 --> 00:19:58.259 favour, 00:19:59.059 --> 00:20:00.100 or begged 00:20:00.100 --> 00:20:01.120 for God's 00:20:01.120 --> 00:20:01.860 grace. 00:20:01.859 --> 00:20:02.859 God's 00:20:02.859 --> 00:20:03.859 love. 00:20:03.859 --> 00:20:03.979 Isn't 00:20:03.979 --> 00:20:04.159 that 00:20:04.159 --> 00:20:04.899 astonishing? 00:20:06.399 --> 00:20:07.119 Jacob 00:20:07.119 --> 00:20:08.299 overcame. 00:20:09.559 --> 00:20:09.939 Jacob 00:20:09.939 --> 00:20:10.500 won. 00:20:10.839 --> 00:20:11.319 How did 00:20:11.319 --> 00:20:11.899 he win 00:20:11.899 --> 00:20:12.139 the 00:20:12.139 --> 00:20:12.500 wrestle? 00:20:12.899 --> 00:20:13.279 By 00:20:13.279 --> 00:20:14.039 weeping 00:20:14.039 --> 00:20:15.899 and begging 00:20:15.899 --> 00:20:16.779 for grace. 00:20:18.459 --> 00:20:18.799 Jacob 00:20:18.799 --> 00:20:20.099 was victorious 00:20:20.099 --> 00:20:21.399 in his 00:20:21.399 --> 00:20:22.240 wrestle with 00:20:22.240 --> 00:20:23.399 God because 00:20:23.399 --> 00:20:24.819 Jacob was 00:20:24.819 --> 00:20:25.559 desperate 00:20:25.559 --> 00:20:26.379 for God. 00:20:28.839 --> 00:20:29.299 And so 00:20:29.299 --> 00:20:29.939 Jacob's 00:20:29.939 --> 00:20:31.639 life was 00:20:31.640 --> 00:20:32.440 transformed. 00:20:33.720 --> 00:20:34.640 Verse 29, 00:20:35.460 --> 00:20:36.380 Jacob said, 00:20:36.580 --> 00:20:37.560 please tell 00:20:37.560 --> 00:20:38.180 me your 00:20:38.180 --> 00:20:38.520 name. 00:20:39.940 --> 00:20:40.600 But he 00:20:40.600 --> 00:20:41.020 replied, 00:20:41.140 --> 00:20:41.560 why do you 00:20:41.560 --> 00:20:42.080 ask my 00:20:42.080 --> 00:20:42.360 name? 00:20:42.420 --> 00:20:42.740 He was 00:20:42.740 --> 00:20:43.259 given no 00:20:43.259 --> 00:20:43.680 answer, 00:20:43.880 --> 00:20:45.620 but he 00:20:45.620 --> 00:20:46.520 was blessed. 00:20:47.540 --> 00:20:47.980 God 00:20:47.980 --> 00:20:48.740 blessed him. 00:20:50.940 --> 00:20:51.860 Now can 00:20:51.860 --> 00:20:52.400 we begin 00:20:52.400 --> 00:20:52.960 to see 00:20:52.960 --> 00:20:53.640 that while 00:20:53.640 --> 00:20:54.160 we may 00:20:54.160 --> 00:20:55.900 be perplexed 00:20:55.900 --> 00:20:57.820 with God's 00:20:57.820 --> 00:20:58.420 touch, 00:20:59.680 --> 00:21:00.320 it can 00:21:00.320 --> 00:21:01.080 lead to a 00:21:01.079 --> 00:21:01.740 transformed 00:21:01.740 --> 00:21:02.359 life. 00:21:03.679 --> 00:21:04.019 You see, 00:21:04.099 --> 00:21:04.720 we mightn't 00:21:04.720 --> 00:21:05.439 choose the 00:21:05.439 --> 00:21:06.240 wrestle for 00:21:06.240 --> 00:21:07.039 ourselves, 00:21:07.539 --> 00:21:08.939 but sometimes 00:21:08.939 --> 00:21:11.419 God brings 00:21:11.419 --> 00:21:12.699 discomfort to 00:21:12.699 --> 00:21:13.439 his children. 00:21:14.720 --> 00:21:15.759 Sometimes he 00:21:15.759 --> 00:21:17.079 allows troubles 00:21:17.079 --> 00:21:17.939 and trials 00:21:17.939 --> 00:21:19.019 not to 00:21:19.019 --> 00:21:19.980 destroy us, 00:21:20.299 --> 00:21:21.059 but so that 00:21:21.059 --> 00:21:21.579 we would 00:21:21.579 --> 00:21:22.779 fall on our 00:21:22.779 --> 00:21:23.519 knees and 00:21:23.519 --> 00:21:24.939 cry out to 00:21:24.939 --> 00:21:25.539 God for 00:21:25.539 --> 00:21:26.299 mercy and 00:21:26.299 --> 00:21:26.599 say, 00:21:26.819 --> 00:21:27.659 bless me. 00:21:27.660 --> 00:21:29.660 God's 00:21:29.660 --> 00:21:30.100 love for 00:21:30.100 --> 00:21:31.060 you. 00:21:31.060 --> 00:21:32.580 Maybe you're 00:21:32.580 --> 00:21:32.940 in that 00:21:32.940 --> 00:21:33.779 struggle right 00:21:33.779 --> 00:21:34.120 now. 00:21:35.200 --> 00:21:36.140 There's a 00:21:36.140 --> 00:21:37.140 battle inside 00:21:37.140 --> 00:21:37.980 your heart. 00:21:39.259 --> 00:21:40.300 Maybe there's 00:21:40.300 --> 00:21:40.720 a bit of 00:21:40.720 --> 00:21:41.560 Jacob going 00:21:41.560 --> 00:21:41.880 on, 00:21:42.000 --> 00:21:42.560 living your 00:21:42.560 --> 00:21:43.279 own life 00:21:43.279 --> 00:21:43.779 and doing 00:21:43.779 --> 00:21:44.380 your own 00:21:44.380 --> 00:21:44.860 thing, 00:21:45.680 --> 00:21:46.340 out for 00:21:46.340 --> 00:21:47.000 self and 00:21:47.000 --> 00:21:48.040 always keeping 00:21:48.040 --> 00:21:48.640 God at 00:21:48.640 --> 00:21:49.279 arm's length, 00:21:49.800 --> 00:21:50.400 protecting 00:21:50.400 --> 00:21:51.100 yourself. 00:21:51.099 --> 00:21:51.319 self. 00:21:53.439 --> 00:21:54.219 But then 00:21:54.219 --> 00:21:55.319 God confronts 00:21:55.319 --> 00:21:55.539 you. 00:21:56.500 --> 00:21:57.259 He challenges 00:21:57.259 --> 00:21:57.659 you. 00:21:58.259 --> 00:21:58.699 He doesn't 00:21:58.699 --> 00:21:59.679 wait for your 00:21:59.679 --> 00:22:00.599 invitation to 00:22:00.599 --> 00:22:00.819 say, 00:22:00.919 --> 00:22:01.179 Lord, 00:22:01.319 --> 00:22:01.959 come to me, 00:22:02.079 --> 00:22:03.039 but he goes 00:22:03.039 --> 00:22:03.399 on the 00:22:03.399 --> 00:22:05.139 offensive and 00:22:05.139 --> 00:22:05.959 goes to you. 00:22:06.799 --> 00:22:07.579 You might have 00:22:07.579 --> 00:22:08.439 asked for it or 00:22:08.439 --> 00:22:08.899 want it, 00:22:09.000 --> 00:22:09.859 but God in his 00:22:09.859 --> 00:22:11.639 mercy longs for 00:22:11.639 --> 00:22:12.359 your heart. 00:22:15.359 --> 00:22:16.279 And it's a 00:22:16.279 --> 00:22:16.619 wrestle. 00:22:17.500 --> 00:22:18.579 We fight and 00:22:18.579 --> 00:22:19.139 we battle. 00:22:19.140 --> 00:22:21.680 well, the 00:22:21.680 --> 00:22:22.440 way to win 00:22:22.440 --> 00:22:23.300 that fight 00:22:23.300 --> 00:22:25.640 is to lose. 00:22:26.780 --> 00:22:27.660 The way to 00:22:27.660 --> 00:22:29.440 win is to 00:22:29.440 --> 00:22:29.960 lose. 00:22:31.120 --> 00:22:31.880 It means that 00:22:31.880 --> 00:22:32.840 we submit our 00:22:32.840 --> 00:22:34.460 life to God. 00:22:35.080 --> 00:22:36.220 We confess 00:22:36.220 --> 00:22:38.100 our sin to 00:22:38.100 --> 00:22:38.500 God. 00:22:39.220 --> 00:22:39.980 And we cry 00:22:39.980 --> 00:22:40.480 out in 00:22:40.480 --> 00:22:41.780 desperation for 00:22:41.780 --> 00:22:42.580 his mercy. 00:22:42.980 --> 00:22:44.340 It means we 00:22:44.340 --> 00:22:45.840 come weeping 00:22:45.840 --> 00:22:47.700 and begging 00:22:47.700 --> 00:22:48.420 for his 00:22:48.420 --> 00:22:48.940 grace. 00:22:49.140 --> 00:22:51.980 it means that 00:22:51.980 --> 00:22:52.560 we would be 00:22:52.560 --> 00:22:53.300 willing to 00:22:53.300 --> 00:22:54.220 even die 00:22:54.220 --> 00:22:54.700 for the 00:22:54.700 --> 00:22:55.180 blessing 00:22:55.180 --> 00:22:57.140 rather than 00:22:57.140 --> 00:22:58.240 forsake the 00:22:58.240 --> 00:22:58.700 blessing. 00:23:01.700 --> 00:23:02.880 Are you in a 00:23:02.880 --> 00:23:03.480 fight with 00:23:03.480 --> 00:23:03.880 God? 00:23:05.380 --> 00:23:06.180 Are you 00:23:06.180 --> 00:23:06.800 keeping him 00:23:06.800 --> 00:23:07.360 at arm's 00:23:07.360 --> 00:23:07.800 length? 00:23:10.200 --> 00:23:11.259 The way to 00:23:11.259 --> 00:23:12.820 win is to 00:23:12.820 --> 00:23:14.460 lose so that 00:23:14.460 --> 00:23:15.060 you will be 00:23:15.060 --> 00:23:15.600 blessed, 00:23:16.340 --> 00:23:16.940 changed, 00:23:17.400 --> 00:23:18.380 and transformed. 00:23:19.140 --> 00:23:21.759 So we are 00:23:21.759 --> 00:23:22.759 perplexed by 00:23:22.759 --> 00:23:23.780 God's ways, 00:23:24.620 --> 00:23:25.440 but we are 00:23:25.440 --> 00:23:27.759 transformed by 00:23:27.759 --> 00:23:28.800 God's touch. 00:23:31.140 --> 00:23:32.400 And then 00:23:32.400 --> 00:23:35.540 we are 00:23:35.540 --> 00:23:38.140 afflicted by 00:23:38.140 --> 00:23:39.160 God's grace. 00:23:39.160 --> 00:23:39.259 grace. 00:23:41.060 --> 00:23:41.960 Now doesn't 00:23:41.960 --> 00:23:42.740 that sound a 00:23:42.740 --> 00:23:43.440 contradiction? 00:23:45.040 --> 00:23:46.019 Afflicted by 00:23:46.019 --> 00:23:46.580 grace? 00:23:48.440 --> 00:23:50.160 Well, look at 00:23:50.160 --> 00:23:50.940 verse 31. 00:23:54.779 --> 00:23:56.120 The sun rose 00:23:56.120 --> 00:23:57.080 above Jacob, 00:23:57.779 --> 00:23:58.740 and he passed 00:23:58.740 --> 00:23:59.940 Peniel, the place 00:23:59.940 --> 00:24:01.000 where he wrestled 00:24:01.000 --> 00:24:01.640 with God. 00:24:01.640 --> 00:24:03.280 it's a new 00:24:03.280 --> 00:24:05.300 day, a new 00:24:05.300 --> 00:24:05.780 beginning. 00:24:06.800 --> 00:24:07.820 The wrestle is 00:24:07.820 --> 00:24:08.540 over, and with 00:24:08.540 --> 00:24:09.560 renewed strength, 00:24:09.680 --> 00:24:10.720 he's now ready to 00:24:10.720 --> 00:24:11.860 face his fears 00:24:11.860 --> 00:24:13.180 and step out 00:24:13.180 --> 00:24:14.000 and meet his 00:24:14.000 --> 00:24:14.380 brother. 00:24:14.860 --> 00:24:16.720 But, look at 00:24:16.720 --> 00:24:17.220 the rest of 00:24:17.220 --> 00:24:17.920 verse 31. 00:24:19.040 --> 00:24:19.880 He was 00:24:19.880 --> 00:24:20.580 limping 00:24:20.580 --> 00:24:22.040 because of 00:24:22.040 --> 00:24:22.560 his hip. 00:24:24.520 --> 00:24:25.360 Jacob's not 00:24:25.360 --> 00:24:25.800 healed. 00:24:25.799 --> 00:24:28.639 It's not 00:24:28.639 --> 00:24:29.299 removed. 00:24:30.599 --> 00:24:31.440 The injury 00:24:31.440 --> 00:24:32.279 is left. 00:24:33.759 --> 00:24:35.079 God's touch 00:24:35.079 --> 00:24:35.799 upon his 00:24:35.799 --> 00:24:37.180 life remains. 00:24:37.359 --> 00:24:38.539 It's a daily 00:24:38.539 --> 00:24:39.500 reminder to 00:24:39.500 --> 00:24:40.399 Jacob that he 00:24:40.399 --> 00:24:41.279 needs God's 00:24:41.279 --> 00:24:42.159 grace, not 00:24:42.159 --> 00:24:42.960 just for one 00:24:42.960 --> 00:24:43.519 day, but 00:24:43.519 --> 00:24:44.639 every day. 00:24:45.460 --> 00:24:46.500 Every time he 00:24:46.500 --> 00:24:47.319 gets up in the 00:24:47.319 --> 00:24:47.899 morning and 00:24:47.899 --> 00:24:48.680 hobbles to the 00:24:48.680 --> 00:24:49.740 bathroom, every 00:24:49.740 --> 00:24:50.759 time he gets up 00:24:50.759 --> 00:24:51.299 on his two 00:24:51.299 --> 00:24:51.879 feet and 00:24:51.879 --> 00:24:53.359 limps along, 00:24:53.879 --> 00:24:54.559 Jacob is 00:24:54.559 --> 00:24:55.359 reminded of 00:24:55.359 --> 00:24:56.119 his desperate 00:24:56.119 --> 00:24:56.719 need of 00:24:56.719 --> 00:24:57.119 God. 00:24:59.099 --> 00:25:00.119 But isn't 00:25:00.119 --> 00:25:00.959 that just 00:25:00.959 --> 00:25:01.699 what Jacob 00:25:01.699 --> 00:25:02.479 needed as 00:25:02.479 --> 00:25:03.079 he prepared 00:25:03.079 --> 00:25:03.899 to face his 00:25:03.899 --> 00:25:04.240 brother? 00:25:05.219 --> 00:25:06.059 He was in 00:25:06.059 --> 00:25:06.979 great fear 00:25:06.979 --> 00:25:07.679 and distress. 00:25:08.059 --> 00:25:08.419 He was 00:25:08.419 --> 00:25:09.199 overwhelmed. 00:25:09.779 --> 00:25:10.599 Now he's 00:25:10.599 --> 00:25:11.500 ready to go 00:25:11.500 --> 00:25:12.319 and meet 00:25:12.319 --> 00:25:12.799 him. 00:25:13.740 --> 00:25:14.799 Every step 00:25:14.799 --> 00:25:15.379 he takes 00:25:15.379 --> 00:25:15.959 will be a 00:25:15.959 --> 00:25:17.199 reminder that 00:25:17.199 --> 00:25:17.919 God is 00:25:17.919 --> 00:25:18.339 there. 00:25:18.799 --> 00:25:19.359 God is 00:25:19.359 --> 00:25:20.039 his strength. 00:25:21.039 --> 00:25:21.459 You see, 00:25:21.599 --> 00:25:22.219 once we 00:25:22.219 --> 00:25:23.059 have God, 00:25:23.419 --> 00:25:24.079 once we've 00:25:24.079 --> 00:25:24.899 met with 00:25:24.899 --> 00:25:25.240 God, 00:25:25.359 --> 00:25:26.139 once we've 00:25:26.139 --> 00:25:26.899 done business 00:25:26.899 --> 00:25:27.579 with God, 00:25:27.839 --> 00:25:28.639 once we've 00:25:28.639 --> 00:25:29.319 received his 00:25:29.319 --> 00:25:29.779 blessing, 00:25:30.199 --> 00:25:30.659 there is 00:25:30.659 --> 00:25:31.519 nothing to 00:25:31.519 --> 00:25:31.939 fear. 00:25:32.859 --> 00:25:33.639 Not the 00:25:33.639 --> 00:25:34.199 future, 00:25:34.619 --> 00:25:35.000 not our 00:25:35.000 --> 00:25:35.759 life today, 00:25:36.119 --> 00:25:36.699 not even 00:25:36.699 --> 00:25:37.599 death itself, 00:25:37.719 --> 00:25:38.159 no matter 00:25:38.159 --> 00:25:38.859 what life 00:25:38.859 --> 00:25:39.399 can throw 00:25:39.399 --> 00:25:39.779 at us, 00:25:40.059 --> 00:25:40.519 there is 00:25:40.519 --> 00:25:41.299 nothing to 00:25:41.299 --> 00:25:41.639 fear. 00:25:45.519 --> 00:25:46.479 Sometimes we 00:25:46.479 --> 00:25:46.939 go through 00:25:46.939 --> 00:25:47.639 times of 00:25:47.639 --> 00:25:48.419 struggle and 00:25:48.419 --> 00:25:48.919 suffering. 00:25:51.219 --> 00:25:52.240 It could be a 00:25:52.240 --> 00:25:52.660 difficult 00:25:52.660 --> 00:25:53.380 relationship. 00:25:55.000 --> 00:25:56.000 It could be 00:25:56.000 --> 00:25:56.779 a temptation 00:25:56.779 --> 00:25:57.480 that just 00:25:57.480 --> 00:25:57.920 keeps 00:25:57.920 --> 00:25:58.799 reoccurring 00:25:58.799 --> 00:25:59.579 or a 00:25:59.579 --> 00:26:00.000 weakness. 00:26:01.779 --> 00:26:02.480 Maybe it's 00:26:02.480 --> 00:26:03.059 a particular 00:26:03.059 --> 00:26:04.180 illness or 00:26:04.180 --> 00:26:05.160 a recurring 00:26:05.160 --> 00:26:05.900 pain. 00:26:07.380 --> 00:26:08.259 And in the 00:26:08.259 --> 00:26:08.920 trouble we 00:26:08.920 --> 00:26:09.940 pray and we 00:26:09.940 --> 00:26:10.740 ask for God 00:26:10.740 --> 00:26:11.400 to take it 00:26:11.400 --> 00:26:11.759 away. 00:26:12.339 --> 00:26:13.039 We long for 00:26:13.039 --> 00:26:13.579 things to 00:26:13.579 --> 00:26:14.460 change to be 00:26:14.460 --> 00:26:14.880 different. 00:26:15.420 --> 00:26:15.579 Well, 00:26:15.640 --> 00:26:16.519 perhaps God 00:26:16.519 --> 00:26:17.819 will bring 00:26:17.819 --> 00:26:18.640 about change, 00:26:18.640 --> 00:26:20.080 but what if 00:26:20.080 --> 00:26:21.040 he doesn't? 00:26:22.580 --> 00:26:23.420 What if we 00:26:23.420 --> 00:26:24.200 walk the 00:26:24.200 --> 00:26:24.920 rest of our 00:26:24.920 --> 00:26:26.520 days with 00:26:26.520 --> 00:26:27.100 a limp? 00:26:31.220 --> 00:26:32.080 I don't 00:26:32.080 --> 00:26:32.720 pretend to 00:26:32.720 --> 00:26:33.520 know all of 00:26:33.520 --> 00:26:34.320 God's ways 00:26:34.320 --> 00:26:34.720 and his 00:26:34.720 --> 00:26:35.200 working. 00:26:36.900 --> 00:26:37.840 But what if 00:26:37.840 --> 00:26:38.600 that struggle, 00:26:39.960 --> 00:26:40.560 what if 00:26:40.560 --> 00:26:41.480 that suffering 00:26:41.480 --> 00:26:43.340 is God's 00:26:43.340 --> 00:26:43.960 means of 00:26:43.960 --> 00:26:44.620 keeping us 00:26:44.620 --> 00:26:45.259 dependent 00:26:45.259 --> 00:26:47.240 and desperate 00:26:47.240 --> 00:26:48.120 for him? 00:26:48.640 --> 00:26:50.700 what if 00:26:50.700 --> 00:26:51.580 that limp 00:26:51.580 --> 00:26:52.880 is a 00:26:52.880 --> 00:26:53.380 means of 00:26:53.380 --> 00:26:54.360 knowing God's 00:26:54.360 --> 00:26:55.140 grace and 00:26:55.140 --> 00:26:55.680 blessing 00:26:55.680 --> 00:26:57.340 every day? 00:26:58.460 --> 00:26:59.340 What if 00:26:59.340 --> 00:27:00.160 that weakness 00:27:00.160 --> 00:27:01.900 is a means 00:27:01.900 --> 00:27:02.680 of finding 00:27:02.680 --> 00:27:03.780 strength 00:27:03.780 --> 00:27:05.100 in every 00:27:05.100 --> 00:27:05.840 fear we 00:27:05.840 --> 00:27:06.380 face? 00:27:09.200 --> 00:27:09.800 You see, 00:27:09.940 --> 00:27:10.880 grace comes 00:27:10.880 --> 00:27:11.500 to us from 00:27:11.500 --> 00:27:12.100 God in 00:27:12.100 --> 00:27:13.560 all kinds 00:27:13.560 --> 00:27:14.280 of packages. 00:27:15.200 --> 00:27:16.000 Sometimes it 00:27:16.000 --> 00:27:16.560 comes in 00:27:16.560 --> 00:27:16.940 healing. 00:27:16.940 --> 00:27:19.539 sometimes it 00:27:19.539 --> 00:27:21.000 comes in 00:27:21.000 --> 00:27:21.680 affliction. 00:27:23.680 --> 00:27:24.320 The 00:27:24.320 --> 00:27:25.120 Apostle Paul 00:27:25.120 --> 00:27:25.759 knew this, 00:27:25.880 --> 00:27:26.240 didn't he? 00:27:27.759 --> 00:27:28.440 Why don't we 00:27:28.440 --> 00:27:29.160 go to 2 00:27:29.160 --> 00:27:29.600 Corinthians 00:27:29.600 --> 00:27:31.259 chapter 12. 00:27:34.059 --> 00:27:34.799 2 00:27:34.799 --> 00:27:35.279 Corinthians 00:27:35.279 --> 00:27:36.519 chapter 12. 00:27:36.519 --> 00:27:58.379 2 00:27:58.379 --> 00:27:58.839 Corinthians 00:27:58.839 --> 00:27:59.539 12. 00:27:59.680 --> 00:28:00.279 Here Paul 00:28:00.279 --> 00:28:00.900 has been 00:28:00.900 --> 00:28:01.920 speaking about 00:28:01.920 --> 00:28:02.940 an amazing 00:28:02.940 --> 00:28:04.279 experience he's 00:28:04.279 --> 00:28:05.039 had with God 00:28:05.039 --> 00:28:06.279 as he goes. 00:28:06.379 --> 00:28:06.980 He describes 00:28:06.980 --> 00:28:07.460 us going 00:28:07.460 --> 00:28:07.960 into the 00:28:07.960 --> 00:28:08.659 third heaven 00:28:08.659 --> 00:28:09.619 and he's 00:28:09.619 --> 00:28:10.899 just out of 00:28:10.899 --> 00:28:11.619 this world 00:28:11.619 --> 00:28:12.259 with his 00:28:12.259 --> 00:28:13.139 encounter with 00:28:13.139 --> 00:28:13.480 God. 00:28:13.639 --> 00:28:14.539 Then he 00:28:14.539 --> 00:28:15.500 switches gears 00:28:15.500 --> 00:28:16.119 and then he 00:28:16.119 --> 00:28:17.220 reminds us of 00:28:17.220 --> 00:28:18.579 an experience 00:28:18.579 --> 00:28:20.000 of affliction. 00:28:21.279 --> 00:28:22.319 Verse 7. 00:28:23.759 --> 00:28:24.299 The middle 00:28:24.299 --> 00:28:25.039 of verse 7. 00:28:25.619 --> 00:28:26.200 He says, 00:28:26.599 --> 00:28:26.639 therefore, 00:28:26.899 --> 00:28:27.759 in order to 00:28:27.759 --> 00:28:28.420 keep me from 00:28:28.420 --> 00:28:29.539 being conceited, 00:28:29.539 --> 00:28:30.759 he said, 00:28:30.819 --> 00:28:31.339 instead of 00:28:31.339 --> 00:28:32.399 becoming proud 00:28:32.399 --> 00:28:33.579 and becoming 00:28:33.579 --> 00:28:35.000 self-dependent, 00:28:35.059 --> 00:28:35.599 instead of 00:28:35.599 --> 00:28:36.920 being God 00:28:36.920 --> 00:28:37.579 dependent, 00:28:38.579 --> 00:28:39.839 I was given 00:28:39.839 --> 00:28:40.639 a thorn 00:28:40.639 --> 00:28:42.500 in my flesh. 00:28:43.639 --> 00:28:44.279 Now, 00:28:44.339 --> 00:28:44.799 we don't know 00:28:44.799 --> 00:28:45.259 what that 00:28:45.259 --> 00:28:46.339 thorn was. 00:28:48.079 --> 00:28:48.740 It wasn't the 00:28:48.740 --> 00:28:49.639 kind of thorn 00:28:49.639 --> 00:28:50.799 from a rosebush, 00:28:50.980 --> 00:28:52.440 but perhaps a 00:28:52.440 --> 00:28:53.899 physical disability 00:28:53.899 --> 00:28:54.759 in his life, 00:28:54.859 --> 00:28:55.940 maybe an 00:28:55.940 --> 00:28:56.480 illness, 00:28:56.480 --> 00:28:58.200 maybe a 00:28:58.200 --> 00:28:58.940 temptation, 00:28:59.180 --> 00:28:59.680 a weakness 00:28:59.680 --> 00:29:00.400 in his life, 00:29:00.720 --> 00:29:01.700 an anxiety, 00:29:02.240 --> 00:29:03.099 a thorn 00:29:03.099 --> 00:29:04.180 that was 00:29:04.180 --> 00:29:05.500 painful and 00:29:05.500 --> 00:29:06.019 difficult. 00:29:09.299 --> 00:29:10.279 Verse 8. 00:29:11.759 --> 00:29:13.039 Three times 00:29:13.039 --> 00:29:13.900 I pleaded 00:29:13.900 --> 00:29:14.579 with the Lord 00:29:14.579 --> 00:29:15.240 to take it 00:29:15.240 --> 00:29:16.039 away from me, 00:29:17.480 --> 00:29:18.319 asking for 00:29:18.319 --> 00:29:18.759 the Lord 00:29:18.759 --> 00:29:19.240 that this 00:29:19.240 --> 00:29:20.019 would end, 00:29:20.160 --> 00:29:20.440 that it 00:29:20.440 --> 00:29:21.220 would stop. 00:29:22.839 --> 00:29:23.700 And God 00:29:23.700 --> 00:29:24.220 answered, 00:29:24.360 --> 00:29:24.960 verse 9, 00:29:24.960 --> 00:29:27.019 he said 00:29:27.019 --> 00:29:27.400 to me, 00:29:27.500 --> 00:29:28.400 my grace 00:29:28.400 --> 00:29:29.920 is sufficient 00:29:29.920 --> 00:29:30.640 for you, 00:29:31.480 --> 00:29:32.519 for my 00:29:32.519 --> 00:29:33.559 power is 00:29:33.559 --> 00:29:34.579 made perfect 00:29:34.579 --> 00:29:35.960 in weakness. 00:29:37.140 --> 00:29:37.860 Therefore, 00:29:38.059 --> 00:29:38.779 I will boast 00:29:38.779 --> 00:29:39.480 all the more 00:29:39.480 --> 00:29:40.440 gladly about 00:29:40.440 --> 00:29:41.460 my weaknesses, 00:29:42.019 --> 00:29:42.980 my struggles, 00:29:43.340 --> 00:29:44.360 my sufferings, 00:29:44.960 --> 00:29:45.880 my limp, 00:29:46.880 --> 00:29:48.819 so that 00:29:48.819 --> 00:29:49.500 Christ's 00:29:49.500 --> 00:29:49.980 power 00:29:49.980 --> 00:29:51.600 may rest 00:29:51.600 --> 00:29:52.140 on me. 00:29:52.140 --> 00:29:54.120 that is 00:29:54.120 --> 00:29:54.460 why, 00:29:54.640 --> 00:29:55.620 for Christ's 00:29:55.620 --> 00:29:55.900 sake, 00:29:55.980 --> 00:29:57.300 I delight 00:29:57.300 --> 00:29:57.980 in weakness. 00:29:58.220 --> 00:29:58.840 This is a 00:29:58.840 --> 00:29:59.680 deep 00:29:59.680 --> 00:30:01.460 inner joy, 00:30:01.640 --> 00:30:02.080 a sense 00:30:02.080 --> 00:30:02.920 of peace 00:30:02.920 --> 00:30:05.759 that in 00:30:05.759 --> 00:30:06.720 the insults, 00:30:06.780 --> 00:30:07.080 in the 00:30:07.080 --> 00:30:07.580 hardships, 00:30:07.940 --> 00:30:08.240 in the 00:30:08.240 --> 00:30:09.080 persecutions, 00:30:09.259 --> 00:30:09.540 in the 00:30:09.540 --> 00:30:10.180 difficulties, 00:30:10.840 --> 00:30:11.660 when I 00:30:11.660 --> 00:30:12.360 am weak, 00:30:13.500 --> 00:30:14.460 then I 00:30:14.460 --> 00:30:15.160 am strong. 00:30:15.160 --> 00:30:20.120 grace comes 00:30:20.120 --> 00:30:20.560 in all 00:30:20.560 --> 00:30:21.220 kinds of 00:30:21.220 --> 00:30:21.720 packages. 00:30:23.440 --> 00:30:24.140 Sometimes 00:30:24.140 --> 00:30:25.140 it comes 00:30:25.140 --> 00:30:26.000 in 00:30:26.000 --> 00:30:26.600 affliction. 00:30:27.640 --> 00:30:28.560 Not to 00:30:28.560 --> 00:30:29.380 crush you 00:30:29.380 --> 00:30:30.560 and destroy 00:30:30.560 --> 00:30:30.980 you, 00:30:32.380 --> 00:30:33.100 but so 00:30:33.100 --> 00:30:33.480 that you 00:30:33.480 --> 00:30:34.120 might know 00:30:34.120 --> 00:30:35.040 that Christ 00:30:35.040 --> 00:30:36.519 is sufficient, 00:30:36.740 --> 00:30:37.040 that he 00:30:37.040 --> 00:30:37.800 is enough 00:30:37.800 --> 00:30:38.580 for you 00:30:38.580 --> 00:30:39.160 in your 00:30:39.160 --> 00:30:39.640 life. 00:30:39.640 --> 00:30:44.280 Now you 00:30:44.280 --> 00:30:45.080 might struggle 00:30:45.080 --> 00:30:45.540 with what 00:30:45.540 --> 00:30:46.040 we're saying 00:30:46.040 --> 00:30:46.680 this morning. 00:30:47.759 --> 00:30:48.740 How can 00:30:48.740 --> 00:30:49.180 a loving 00:30:49.180 --> 00:30:49.759 God 00:30:49.759 --> 00:30:51.220 send 00:30:51.220 --> 00:30:51.860 thorns 00:30:51.860 --> 00:30:53.160 and wounds? 00:30:54.440 --> 00:30:55.080 How can 00:30:55.080 --> 00:30:56.040 God touch 00:30:56.040 --> 00:30:56.880 my life 00:30:56.880 --> 00:30:58.820 and allow 00:30:58.820 --> 00:30:59.780 these trials 00:30:59.780 --> 00:31:00.400 to happen 00:31:00.400 --> 00:31:00.900 to me? 00:31:02.300 --> 00:31:03.200 I'm not 00:31:03.200 --> 00:31:03.980 sure if I 00:31:03.980 --> 00:31:05.380 like this 00:31:05.380 --> 00:31:05.880 kind of 00:31:05.880 --> 00:31:06.220 God. 00:31:06.220 --> 00:31:09.940 but let 00:31:09.940 --> 00:31:10.079 me 00:31:10.079 --> 00:31:10.720 reassure 00:31:10.720 --> 00:31:11.200 you that 00:31:11.200 --> 00:31:11.559 God 00:31:11.559 --> 00:31:12.059 does 00:31:12.059 --> 00:31:12.559 love 00:31:12.559 --> 00:31:12.799 you. 00:31:14.100 --> 00:31:14.380 He 00:31:14.380 --> 00:31:14.680 loves 00:31:14.680 --> 00:31:14.900 you 00:31:14.900 --> 00:31:15.339 deeply. 00:31:16.880 --> 00:31:17.440 Let me 00:31:17.440 --> 00:31:18.019 show you. 00:31:19.779 --> 00:31:20.180 You see, 00:31:20.299 --> 00:31:20.559 there was 00:31:20.559 --> 00:31:21.160 one who 00:31:21.160 --> 00:31:23.019 came to 00:31:23.019 --> 00:31:23.740 wrestle with 00:31:23.740 --> 00:31:24.759 God for 00:31:24.759 --> 00:31:25.240 us. 00:31:26.500 --> 00:31:27.240 And you 00:31:27.240 --> 00:31:27.779 know his 00:31:27.779 --> 00:31:28.160 name, 00:31:29.579 --> 00:31:29.900 Jesus 00:31:29.900 --> 00:31:30.579 Christ, 00:31:31.460 --> 00:31:31.860 God's 00:31:31.860 --> 00:31:32.059 own 00:31:32.059 --> 00:31:32.440 son. 00:31:33.819 --> 00:31:34.079 And 00:31:34.079 --> 00:31:34.400 Jesus 00:31:34.400 --> 00:31:34.880 came, 00:31:34.980 --> 00:31:35.940 he wrestled 00:31:35.940 --> 00:31:37.120 with God's 00:31:37.120 --> 00:31:37.620 will for 00:31:37.620 --> 00:31:38.220 his life 00:31:38.220 --> 00:31:38.980 for God 00:31:38.980 --> 00:31:39.559 had sent 00:31:39.559 --> 00:31:39.980 him to 00:31:39.980 --> 00:31:40.960 come to 00:31:40.960 --> 00:31:42.100 suffer a 00:31:42.100 --> 00:31:42.600 great 00:31:42.600 --> 00:31:43.140 suffering. 00:31:44.080 --> 00:31:44.660 He sent 00:31:44.660 --> 00:31:45.039 him to 00:31:45.039 --> 00:31:45.640 die. 00:31:46.840 --> 00:31:47.340 God's 00:31:47.340 --> 00:31:47.940 will for 00:31:47.940 --> 00:31:48.580 his life 00:31:48.580 --> 00:31:49.480 was thorns 00:31:49.480 --> 00:31:50.240 and 00:31:50.240 --> 00:31:50.779 wounds. 00:31:52.799 --> 00:31:53.259 And yet 00:31:53.259 --> 00:31:53.740 Jesus 00:31:53.740 --> 00:31:54.460 submitted 00:31:54.460 --> 00:31:55.440 and surrendered 00:31:55.440 --> 00:31:56.279 himself to 00:31:56.279 --> 00:31:56.600 God. 00:31:57.059 --> 00:31:57.360 Jesus 00:31:57.360 --> 00:31:58.160 prayed in 00:31:58.160 --> 00:31:58.660 the garden, 00:31:59.180 --> 00:31:59.779 not my 00:31:59.779 --> 00:32:00.140 will, 00:32:00.299 --> 00:32:01.279 but your 00:32:01.279 --> 00:32:01.820 will be 00:32:01.820 --> 00:32:02.160 done. 00:32:03.519 --> 00:32:03.940 And he 00:32:03.940 --> 00:32:04.440 went to 00:32:04.440 --> 00:32:05.140 the cross 00:32:05.140 --> 00:32:05.900 bearing 00:32:05.900 --> 00:32:06.900 my sin 00:32:06.900 --> 00:32:07.460 and your 00:32:07.460 --> 00:32:08.040 sin on 00:32:08.040 --> 00:32:08.520 himself, 00:32:08.820 --> 00:32:09.300 all of 00:32:09.300 --> 00:32:10.080 our deceit, 00:32:10.400 --> 00:32:10.800 all of 00:32:10.800 --> 00:32:11.480 our lies, 00:32:11.640 --> 00:32:12.020 all of 00:32:12.020 --> 00:32:12.800 our pride. 00:32:14.700 --> 00:32:15.440 And on 00:32:15.440 --> 00:32:16.000 the cross 00:32:16.000 --> 00:32:16.520 God 00:32:16.520 --> 00:32:17.980 touched 00:32:17.980 --> 00:32:18.340 him. 00:32:19.960 --> 00:32:20.460 God 00:32:20.460 --> 00:32:21.259 afflicted 00:32:21.259 --> 00:32:21.980 him not 00:32:21.980 --> 00:32:22.420 with a 00:32:22.420 --> 00:32:22.800 limp, 00:32:24.160 --> 00:32:24.759 but with 00:32:24.759 --> 00:32:25.160 the very 00:32:25.160 --> 00:32:25.700 judgment 00:32:25.700 --> 00:32:26.380 of God. 00:32:27.800 --> 00:32:28.320 Jesus 00:32:28.320 --> 00:32:29.460 was afflicted 00:32:29.460 --> 00:32:30.240 for our 00:32:30.240 --> 00:32:30.660 sin. 00:32:32.100 --> 00:32:32.540 Jesus 00:32:32.540 --> 00:32:33.400 suffered the 00:32:33.400 --> 00:32:34.060 thorns of 00:32:34.059 --> 00:32:34.839 judgment so 00:32:34.839 --> 00:32:35.359 that you 00:32:35.359 --> 00:32:35.859 and I 00:32:35.859 --> 00:32:36.700 would never 00:32:36.700 --> 00:32:37.299 have to. 00:32:37.659 --> 00:32:38.359 He faced 00:32:38.359 --> 00:32:38.839 death. 00:32:39.200 --> 00:32:39.339 He 00:32:39.339 --> 00:32:40.119 overcame 00:32:40.119 --> 00:32:40.500 death. 00:32:40.940 --> 00:32:41.379 Jesus 00:32:41.379 --> 00:32:42.960 won by 00:32:42.960 --> 00:32:43.559 losing. 00:32:47.059 --> 00:32:47.619 And so 00:32:47.619 --> 00:32:48.379 now as we 00:32:48.379 --> 00:32:48.980 trust in 00:32:48.980 --> 00:32:49.940 him, we 00:32:49.940 --> 00:32:50.839 can come to 00:32:50.839 --> 00:32:51.440 God our 00:32:51.440 --> 00:32:52.220 Father through 00:32:52.220 --> 00:32:53.339 Jesus and 00:32:53.339 --> 00:32:54.299 receive from 00:32:54.299 --> 00:32:55.599 him grace 00:32:55.599 --> 00:32:56.759 for all of 00:32:56.759 --> 00:32:57.319 our troubles. 00:32:58.819 --> 00:32:59.720 We can 00:32:59.720 --> 00:33:00.259 come to 00:33:00.259 --> 00:33:00.799 God in 00:33:00.799 --> 00:33:01.399 all our 00:33:01.399 --> 00:33:02.399 fears and 00:33:02.399 --> 00:33:02.960 worries. 00:33:02.960 --> 00:33:04.420 we can 00:33:04.420 --> 00:33:05.600 freely enter 00:33:05.600 --> 00:33:06.319 into his 00:33:06.319 --> 00:33:07.519 presence without 00:33:07.519 --> 00:33:08.960 any concern 00:33:08.960 --> 00:33:10.600 whatsoever and 00:33:10.600 --> 00:33:11.500 receive from 00:33:11.500 --> 00:33:12.360 him his 00:33:12.360 --> 00:33:13.579 generous kind 00:33:13.579 --> 00:33:14.059 and good 00:33:14.059 --> 00:33:15.180 gifts, all 00:33:15.180 --> 00:33:15.880 that we need 00:33:15.880 --> 00:33:16.519 for life. 00:33:18.519 --> 00:33:19.700 You see, God 00:33:19.700 --> 00:33:20.600 is not out to 00:33:20.600 --> 00:33:21.340 crush you or 00:33:21.340 --> 00:33:22.140 destroy you. 00:33:23.440 --> 00:33:24.380 He loves 00:33:24.380 --> 00:33:24.640 you. 00:33:26.000 --> 00:33:26.680 And if ever 00:33:26.680 --> 00:33:27.420 you doubt it, 00:33:27.500 --> 00:33:28.039 look to the 00:33:28.039 --> 00:33:28.480 cross. 00:33:28.480 --> 00:33:30.500 and you 00:33:30.500 --> 00:33:31.079 will find 00:33:31.079 --> 00:33:31.900 his words. 00:33:32.920 --> 00:33:33.700 My grace 00:33:33.700 --> 00:33:35.160 is sufficient 00:33:35.160 --> 00:33:35.740 for you. 00:33:37.360 --> 00:33:37.839 And we 00:33:37.839 --> 00:33:38.460 will be able 00:33:38.460 --> 00:33:39.180 to say with 00:33:39.180 --> 00:33:39.839 confidence, 00:33:40.039 --> 00:33:40.940 when I 00:33:40.940 --> 00:33:41.920 am weak, 00:33:43.920 --> 00:33:44.940 then I 00:33:44.940 --> 00:33:45.700 am strong. 00:33:48.539 --> 00:33:49.259 Let's 00:33:49.259 --> 00:33:49.519 pray. 00:33:49.519 --> 00:34:09.980 our 00:34:09.980 --> 00:34:10.699 Father God, 00:34:11.179 --> 00:34:12.739 we confess 00:34:12.739 --> 00:34:13.719 that sometimes 00:34:13.719 --> 00:34:14.500 we make 00:34:14.500 --> 00:34:16.059 you very, 00:34:16.199 --> 00:34:16.980 very small. 00:34:16.980 --> 00:34:19.619 we box 00:34:19.619 --> 00:34:20.219 you in. 00:34:23.340 --> 00:34:24.579 But sometimes 00:34:24.579 --> 00:34:25.240 you confront 00:34:25.240 --> 00:34:25.940 us with 00:34:25.940 --> 00:34:26.320 your 00:34:26.320 --> 00:34:27.199 greatness, 00:34:28.260 --> 00:34:29.500 your glory. 00:34:31.820 --> 00:34:32.719 And we 00:34:32.719 --> 00:34:33.460 admit that 00:34:33.460 --> 00:34:34.240 we do not 00:34:34.240 --> 00:34:35.420 always understand 00:34:35.420 --> 00:34:36.159 we find 00:34:36.159 --> 00:34:36.619 you 00:34:36.619 --> 00:34:38.420 perplexing, 00:34:39.019 --> 00:34:40.159 even 00:34:40.159 --> 00:34:40.679 troubling. 00:34:40.679 --> 00:34:44.000 but yet 00:34:44.000 --> 00:34:44.359 in the 00:34:44.359 --> 00:34:44.819 midst of 00:34:44.819 --> 00:34:45.019 our 00:34:45.019 --> 00:34:45.440 wrestle 00:34:45.440 --> 00:34:45.739 and 00:34:45.739 --> 00:34:45.899 the 00:34:45.899 --> 00:34:46.159 midst 00:34:46.159 --> 00:34:46.339 of 00:34:46.339 --> 00:34:46.519 our 00:34:46.519 --> 00:34:46.980 struggle, 00:34:47.980 --> 00:34:49.539 we find 00:34:49.539 --> 00:34:49.839 your 00:34:49.839 --> 00:34:50.219 goodness 00:34:50.219 --> 00:34:50.719 and 00:34:50.719 --> 00:34:50.940 your 00:34:50.940 --> 00:34:51.379 kindness. 00:34:53.379 --> 00:34:54.279 We find 00:34:54.279 --> 00:34:54.659 that you 00:34:54.659 --> 00:34:55.179 are working 00:34:55.179 --> 00:34:55.759 for our 00:34:55.759 --> 00:34:56.299 good and 00:34:56.299 --> 00:34:56.719 for our 00:34:56.719 --> 00:34:57.159 best. 00:34:59.559 --> 00:35:00.599 And slowly 00:35:00.599 --> 00:35:01.079 you are 00:35:01.079 --> 00:35:01.899 changing us 00:35:01.899 --> 00:35:02.759 and transforming 00:35:02.759 --> 00:35:03.299 us. 00:35:05.419 --> 00:35:06.159 And you 00:35:06.159 --> 00:35:06.759 are enabling 00:35:06.759 --> 00:35:07.319 us to 00:35:07.319 --> 00:35:07.659 see 00:35:07.659 --> 00:35:09.500 that from 00:35:09.500 --> 00:35:09.799 you 00:35:09.799 --> 00:35:10.500 comes 00:35:10.500 --> 00:35:11.299 blessing 00:35:11.299 --> 00:35:11.799 after 00:35:11.799 --> 00:35:12.299 blessing. 00:35:15.159 --> 00:35:16.039 And so 00:35:16.039 --> 00:35:16.719 we humbly 00:35:16.719 --> 00:35:17.440 come before 00:35:17.440 --> 00:35:17.799 you 00:35:17.799 --> 00:35:20.139 and we 00:35:20.139 --> 00:35:20.739 dare to 00:35:20.739 --> 00:35:21.299 hang on 00:35:21.299 --> 00:35:21.639 to you, 00:35:21.759 --> 00:35:22.179 to hold 00:35:22.179 --> 00:35:22.599 on to 00:35:22.599 --> 00:35:22.879 you 00:35:22.879 --> 00:35:24.480 and cry 00:35:24.480 --> 00:35:24.819 out, 00:35:24.940 --> 00:35:25.199 Lord, 00:35:26.019 --> 00:35:26.980 bless us. 00:35:28.279 --> 00:35:28.719 Give to 00:35:28.719 --> 00:35:29.299 us your 00:35:29.299 --> 00:35:30.099 grace and 00:35:30.099 --> 00:35:30.619 mercy 00:35:30.619 --> 00:35:31.839 in our 00:35:31.839 --> 00:35:32.359 struggle 00:35:32.359 --> 00:35:33.679 and in 00:35:33.679 --> 00:35:33.859 our 00:35:33.859 --> 00:35:34.299 trial. 00:35:34.300 --> 00:35:37.060 help us 00:35:37.060 --> 00:35:37.560 to know 00:35:37.560 --> 00:35:38.100 and to 00:35:38.100 --> 00:35:38.760 experience 00:35:38.760 --> 00:35:39.380 that your 00:35:39.380 --> 00:35:40.019 grace is 00:35:40.019 --> 00:35:40.500 sufficient. 00:35:42.160 --> 00:35:42.920 Help us 00:35:42.920 --> 00:35:43.560 to be able 00:35:43.560 --> 00:35:44.080 to say 00:35:44.080 --> 00:35:44.560 that when 00:35:44.560 --> 00:35:44.940 I am 00:35:44.940 --> 00:35:45.320 weak, 00:35:46.740 --> 00:35:47.460 then I 00:35:47.460 --> 00:35:48.220 am strong 00:35:48.220 --> 00:35:50.519 because 00:35:50.519 --> 00:35:51.100 you are 00:35:51.100 --> 00:35:51.539 enough. 00:35:53.820 --> 00:35:54.380 Father, 00:35:54.500 --> 00:35:55.140 for anyone 00:35:55.140 --> 00:35:56.060 here today 00:35:56.060 --> 00:35:58.000 who is 00:35:58.000 --> 00:35:58.700 finding that 00:35:58.700 --> 00:35:59.600 battle hard, 00:36:01.260 --> 00:36:02.039 will you 00:36:02.039 --> 00:36:02.580 pour out 00:36:02.580 --> 00:36:03.200 your grace 00:36:03.200 --> 00:36:03.740 into their 00:36:03.740 --> 00:36:04.160 life? 00:36:04.300 --> 00:36:06.680 will you 00:36:06.680 --> 00:36:07.340 remind them 00:36:07.340 --> 00:36:07.680 of their 00:36:07.680 --> 00:36:08.240 love, 00:36:09.740 --> 00:36:10.420 your love 00:36:10.420 --> 00:36:10.920 for them, 00:36:12.240 --> 00:36:13.220 your care 00:36:13.220 --> 00:36:13.680 for them? 00:36:17.780 --> 00:36:18.519 Thank you, 00:36:18.600 --> 00:36:18.880 God. 00:36:20.260 --> 00:36:20.780 Amen.