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I will not let you go until you bless me!" Jacob wrestled with the angel. It was over at dawn, when the angel touched the hollow of Jacob's thigh. And Jacob limped the rest of his life.
The struggles in our lives leave their marks. These can be specific and physical, like Jacob's limp and Daniel being made a eunuch. For some it's the lines around the eyes or the graying of once dark hair. Or, the marks may completely escape the natural eye's perception. Unbeknownst to even the closest companions, the human soul can have its own limp.
As we live our lives in Christ, these scars don't represent wasted woundings. Scripture tells us that Daniel had an excellent spirit within him. The ungodly king agreed. Would he have been the same man had he not suffered such injustice at the hands of his captors? I think not, but it could have been worse . . .
He could have traveled the opposite path, allowing his pain to become unforgiveness, and ultimately bitterness. Certainly, from man's perspective, Daniel's lot in life wasn't fair. He didn't deserve this portion. He could have justified his emotions in the court of human righteousness and hardened himself against God.
But, the most subtle trap is to harden ourselves in a measure. We don't completely turn our backs on God, but we hold him at arm's length. We allow ourselves the deception of withholding a part of ourselves from Him. Sometimes we even allow ourselves the luxury of believing that we are 'terminally unique' -- that our situations are different from all other lives, therefore we are justified in our measured bitterness and partial rebellion!
Daniel chose a different path. He submitted himself, and his undeserved pain, to God. It sounds to me that Daniel chose Joseph's path, to believe that what others meant for evil, God meant for good. Daniel's heart certainly resonates with Habakkuk:
"Though the fig tree shall not blossom, Neither shall fruit be in the vines. The labor of the olive shall fail, And the fields shall yield no meat. The flock shall be cut off from the fold, And there shall be no herd in the stalls, Yet will I rejoice in the Lord; I will joy in the God of my salvation."
How could Daniel do that? He possessed what we all need. Daniel understood at this very young age that God's ways are higher than our ways and that God's thoughts are higher than we can ever comprehend. He knew that to allow bitterness -- however much he deserved to feel bitter -- would only bring him low and away from God. Daniel knew to submit himself to God, to God's purposes, and to God's choices for him, no matter the circumstances. He knew that throwing himself at the feet of God was His only hope for forgiveness, a pure heart, and real life.
As we grow into this revelation, whether or not our scars are visible to others, they don't just represent sad stories from unhappy chapters of life. They signal benchmarks of growth. Out of life's sometimes grisly wounds grow the sweetest savor of Heaven . . . complete dependence on Him and complete submission to His will and purpose in life.
Jacob's limp reflected one of those benchmarks. Jacob, whose very name means 'crooked,' had a long way to go in his growth. As he met life's pain and struggles, he eventually let God have His way. At one point, God renamed Jacob. He was no longer Jacob (crooked), for God changed His name to Israel, which means 'prince with God.' What we sometimes overlook is that God ultimately calls Jacob yet another name. This last name carries on into history, both for him and for the nation Israel. This name of endearment is Jeshurun, which means 'straight!' God faithfully fulfills His work in the lives of His people, even people like Jacob, like you, and like me.
What are your benchmarks of growth? Have you added one recently? Do you have a 'limp born of grace' in your life?
In one of the 'Lethal Weapon' movies, the hero, Mel Gibson, and another member of the police force compare scars received in the line of duty. It is a comical scene; they proudly wear their marks like badges. In violent contrast, I can't help but think that, in eternity, our scars, signifying milestones of spiritual maturation, might be among our most precious trophies. Why? Because these wounds drew us closer to our Lord, they reordered our priorities, and moved us toward a greater knowledge of our Lord and complete dependence on Him.
Let us follow on to know the Lord! |
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And Jacob Limped |
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Our prayers are with you that God will shower you with His love and mercy, and bring you into all that He has for your life. Please remember us in your prayers as we reach out to orphans and other children who so desperately need natural help and to know the love of our Heavenly Father.
Tom and Larissa Benz |