Scripture
So Jacob called the place Peniel, saying, “It is because I saw God face to face, and yet my life was spared.” Genesis 32:30

Observation
Jacob was a piece of work for God. Abraham was a straightforward man and easy for the Lord to lead. Isaac just plodded along and did what he was told. Jacob, on the other hand, was a manipulator who knew how to get what he wanted and then how to get out of town.

God had plans for Jacob because he wanted a relationship with him. It wasn’t so much that God wanted to stop him, he wanted to go with him. It can often feel in God’s pursuit of us that he wants to limit us when in fact he wants to lead us.

God waited until Jacob came face to face with himself. He had an angry father-in-law to the east and a mad brother to the west. He was caught in the middle with no where to turn. The smart aleck had been out smarted.

Coming face to face with himself was no guarantee that Jacob would find God. Our life hardships are no guarantee that we will find him either. God met Jacob in that lonely place where he was alone, without a friend in the world. There Jacob made a choice. All he life he had tried to do it all himself. But for the first time, he stopped and asked God to do it for him.

Application
Cleverness can take us a long way but not far enough. We need God. But to see God we must face ourselves; to face ourselves we must see God.

Prayer
Father, there is something that touches your heart when you see a person determined to scrap with you to be blessed. Human effort is not enough; only you can do it. So with the determination of Jacob, I seize you and will not let you go until you bless me. Amen.