I love to view Youtube.com especially late at night. I just search for worship music to reflect how I am feeling at the time. Oh, the jewels you find! I stumbled upon a dance to Shana Wilson and Tasha Cobbs singing "Never Be the Same". After placing it on repeat for 500 times, it dawned upon me that the song reflects the encounter Jacob had with the angel. I began to meditate and reflect upon Jacob's life.
Genesis chapters 25-32 tells of the early life of Jacob and his family. Born as the youngest twin, Jacob was destined for greatness from the womb. While Esau was 1st born, Jacob at birth, established that the blessing of the 1st born would be his by grasping the heel of his older brother. Many refer to Jacob as a trickster because of the many encounters he had in obtaining his blessings. Yet, if all good and perfect gifts come from God, Jacob tricked no one into obtaining his blessing. Jacob had a burning in his soul that reflected God's ultimate desire to use him for greatness. The problem lay in the fact that Jacob did not understand nor even acknowledge the heart of God the Father until he came to the end of all his efforts that night. Rebekah knew there was greatness in her son just as Moses' mother knew he was a goodly child. She would not stop until she knew that Moses was safe from the wrath and brutality of Pharaoh. She was willing to allow another woman to raise her child in order that the ultimate destiny would come forth. But, Rebekah did not know Yahweh herself. She was thrust into a family of destiny by marriage. She determined to help Jacob obtain the blessing even if it meant sabotaging her other son. From the beginning she and Isaac caused division between Jacob and Esau. Isaac loved Esau and Rebekah loved Jacob. Carnality surrounded them. Esau marries the Canaan women and causes his parents to live in a nightmare. Jacob is sent to live with and find a wife from his mother's brother. She is a Hebrew.
Jacob's journey is partly to find a bride, but also to escape the wrath of his brother Esau. Jacob perfectly executed the plan of his mother to receive from Isaac his father the blessing of the 1st born. Esau is enraged and has purposed in his heart to kill his brother. While on the run, Jacob stops to rest and begins to dream. In the dream God speaks to him and reveals his true purpose and destiny. He reveals why there is the burning in his heart. Jacob doesn't understand and ultimately prays to God that if He will bless him materially, he will serve God. He thinks his destiny is to be rich. Jacob works ultimately 14 years for his uncle in order to marry his true love Rachel. Jacob himself is duped and ultimately has two wives. They are sisters who also will walk in division all their lives because they will fight for the love of one man. Between Rachel and Leah, Jacob would become the father of 13 children. In addition, during the 14 years of work for his uncle Laban, Jacob would become very rich. He would move his family. It is in the moving that Jacob encounters the Great I am.
Jacob's encounters his past first. He will meet his brother Esau. He will need to deal with his deeds. In fear, Jacob sends all his possessions including wives and children across the Jordan. He sends gifts to Esau in an attempt to abate his anger. But, Jacob spends the night alone still on this side of the river. Jacob could not cross. He begins to pray and this time, he prays with humility. He prays for God's protection and gives thanks for the many blessings God has provided. He prays that destiny will be fulfilled in his life. Jacob begins to wrestle with a man. They wrestle during the night and just as day is beginning to break forth, the man is willing to concede. Jacob will not release him until he is blessed and it is then that Jacob is broken to the point that his name is changed to Israel. It is the birth of a nation. For Jacob's twelve sons have now become the twelve tribes of Israel. Jacob is no longer a spoiler but he is a prince of God. But, before the angel leaves Israel, he touches his hip. Israel will forever walk with a limp.
Many are wrestling with destiny inside of them. They have tried to bring forth destiny on their own and have failed miserably. For God is processing us. Every child is born with a purpose and destiny in God. Many or the majority will NEVER fulfill the purpose. The reason is the same problem Jacob had. They do not know God nor understand the destiny that lies within them. They will try to quench the desire through money, relationships, drugs, sex and power. None of these will lead to destiny but frustration. It is only at the breaking of self and the pouring forth of humility that God can reveal true destiny and purpose. But it will cost you everything and you will walk with a limp. How did you get your limp is the new phrase we will ask each other. We will respond, I got my limp win I lost my job after 14 years. I got my limp when my wife and I divorced after 25 years of marriage. I got my limp when my child committed suicide. I got my limp when I was diagnosed with cancer. I got my limp when I declared bankruptcy and lost my car and home. I got my limp when I went to jail. I got my limp when I tried to commit suicide. Did you get your limp when you were struggling to attend and stay in school? Did you get your limp when you had an abortion? The testimonies go on and on. But, the song says today's your day. You've changed my name. I might limp away, but I'll never be the same. You have prevailed and God will release you into destiny and purpose because you have wrestled with yourself and won. What are you birthing? Hold on. Don't let go. At the dawning of a new day the miraculous will break forth and you will walk with a limp but you will walk in destiny. How did you get your limp?
Genesis chapters 25-32 tells of the early life of Jacob and his family. Born as the youngest twin, Jacob was destined for greatness from the womb. While Esau was 1st born, Jacob at birth, established that the blessing of the 1st born would be his by grasping the heel of his older brother. Many refer to Jacob as a trickster because of the many encounters he had in obtaining his blessings. Yet, if all good and perfect gifts come from God, Jacob tricked no one into obtaining his blessing. Jacob had a burning in his soul that reflected God's ultimate desire to use him for greatness. The problem lay in the fact that Jacob did not understand nor even acknowledge the heart of God the Father until he came to the end of all his efforts that night. Rebekah knew there was greatness in her son just as Moses' mother knew he was a goodly child. She would not stop until she knew that Moses was safe from the wrath and brutality of Pharaoh. She was willing to allow another woman to raise her child in order that the ultimate destiny would come forth. But, Rebekah did not know Yahweh herself. She was thrust into a family of destiny by marriage. She determined to help Jacob obtain the blessing even if it meant sabotaging her other son. From the beginning she and Isaac caused division between Jacob and Esau. Isaac loved Esau and Rebekah loved Jacob. Carnality surrounded them. Esau marries the Canaan women and causes his parents to live in a nightmare. Jacob is sent to live with and find a wife from his mother's brother. She is a Hebrew.
Jacob's journey is partly to find a bride, but also to escape the wrath of his brother Esau. Jacob perfectly executed the plan of his mother to receive from Isaac his father the blessing of the 1st born. Esau is enraged and has purposed in his heart to kill his brother. While on the run, Jacob stops to rest and begins to dream. In the dream God speaks to him and reveals his true purpose and destiny. He reveals why there is the burning in his heart. Jacob doesn't understand and ultimately prays to God that if He will bless him materially, he will serve God. He thinks his destiny is to be rich. Jacob works ultimately 14 years for his uncle in order to marry his true love Rachel. Jacob himself is duped and ultimately has two wives. They are sisters who also will walk in division all their lives because they will fight for the love of one man. Between Rachel and Leah, Jacob would become the father of 13 children. In addition, during the 14 years of work for his uncle Laban, Jacob would become very rich. He would move his family. It is in the moving that Jacob encounters the Great I am.
Jacob's encounters his past first. He will meet his brother Esau. He will need to deal with his deeds. In fear, Jacob sends all his possessions including wives and children across the Jordan. He sends gifts to Esau in an attempt to abate his anger. But, Jacob spends the night alone still on this side of the river. Jacob could not cross. He begins to pray and this time, he prays with humility. He prays for God's protection and gives thanks for the many blessings God has provided. He prays that destiny will be fulfilled in his life. Jacob begins to wrestle with a man. They wrestle during the night and just as day is beginning to break forth, the man is willing to concede. Jacob will not release him until he is blessed and it is then that Jacob is broken to the point that his name is changed to Israel. It is the birth of a nation. For Jacob's twelve sons have now become the twelve tribes of Israel. Jacob is no longer a spoiler but he is a prince of God. But, before the angel leaves Israel, he touches his hip. Israel will forever walk with a limp.
Many are wrestling with destiny inside of them. They have tried to bring forth destiny on their own and have failed miserably. For God is processing us. Every child is born with a purpose and destiny in God. Many or the majority will NEVER fulfill the purpose. The reason is the same problem Jacob had. They do not know God nor understand the destiny that lies within them. They will try to quench the desire through money, relationships, drugs, sex and power. None of these will lead to destiny but frustration. It is only at the breaking of self and the pouring forth of humility that God can reveal true destiny and purpose. But it will cost you everything and you will walk with a limp. How did you get your limp is the new phrase we will ask each other. We will respond, I got my limp win I lost my job after 14 years. I got my limp when my wife and I divorced after 25 years of marriage. I got my limp when my child committed suicide. I got my limp when I was diagnosed with cancer. I got my limp when I declared bankruptcy and lost my car and home. I got my limp when I went to jail. I got my limp when I tried to commit suicide. Did you get your limp when you were struggling to attend and stay in school? Did you get your limp when you had an abortion? The testimonies go on and on. But, the song says today's your day. You've changed my name. I might limp away, but I'll never be the same. You have prevailed and God will release you into destiny and purpose because you have wrestled with yourself and won. What are you birthing? Hold on. Don't let go. At the dawning of a new day the miraculous will break forth and you will walk with a limp but you will walk in destiny. How did you get your limp?
