The Need to Persevere
Read the story of Jacob wrestling with God (Genesis 32). What does
this story say to us about perseverance, even amid great discourage-
ment? (Keep the whole context of Jacob’s situation in mind before
you answer.)
We can know what is right and exercise our wills to do the right
thing; but when we are under pressure, it can be very difficult to keep
holding on to God and His promises. That’s because we are weak and
fearful. Therefore, one of the important strengths of the Christian is
perseverance, the ability to keep going despite wanting to give up.
One of the greatest examples of perseverance in the Bible is Jacob.
Many years before, Jacob had tricked his brother, Esau, and his father
into giving him the birthright (Genesis 27), and ever since, he had been
running in fear of Esau’s desire to kill him. Even though he had been
given wonderful promises of God’s guidance and blessing in his dream
of a ladder reaching to heaven (Genesis 28), he was still scared. Jacob
was desperate for God’s assurance that he was accepted and that the
promises made to him many years before were still true. As he fought
someone who was actually Jesus, Jacob had his hip dislocated. From
that point on, it could not have been possible to fight, as the pain would
have been too excruciating. There must have been a subtle shift from
fighting to hanging on. Jacob is hanging on to Jesus through unbearable
pain until he receives an assurance of His blessing. So, Jesus says to
him, “ ‘Let me go, for it is daybreak’ ” (Gen. 32:26, NIV).
Jacob’s blessing came because he held on through the pain. So it
is with us. God also may dislocate our “hip” and then call us to hang
on to Him through our pain. Indeed, God allowed the painful scars to
continue—Jacob was still limping when he met his brother. To outside
appearances it was a weakness, but for Jacob it was an indication of
his strength.
What are some practical choices you can make (associations,
lifestyle, reading material, health habits, spiritual life) that will
help you better persevere with the Lord amid discouragement
and temptation?
