Living in the Garden of Grace: Freedom from Struggling with God
An expression of the inner battle
“Then Jacob was left alone; and a Man wrestled with him until the breaking of day. Now when He saw that He did not prevail against him, He touched the socket of his hip; and the socket of Jacob’s hip was out of joint as He wrestled with him. And He said, ‘Let Me go, for the day breaks.’ But he said, ‘I will not let You go unless You bless me!’” —Genesis 32:24-26
Jacob’s Wrestling Match: A Picture of Our Struggles
The story of Jacob wrestling with the angel is one of the most vivid illustrations of how our flesh—our stubborn self-reliance—resists surrendering to God. Jacob’s actions, his initial resistance and eventual clinging to the angel after being wounded, reflect the inner battle many of us experience when God calls us to trust Him fully.
Like Jacob, our natural inclination is to resist God's control over our lives. We want to "run our own business," believing we know best. This struggle is rooted in the flesh—our residual thought patterns from the crucified old man that oppose God's ways.
The Root of Resistance
Paul provides clarity in Romans 8:7:
“The carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be.”
The "carnal mind" represents the mindset of the flesh—our know-it-all attitude that insists on independence from God. Until we experience the crucifixion of the flesh and its residual influence, this struggle against God's authority persists.
But there is good news: when we acknowledge our weakness and surrender to God, the struggle ceases. As Jacob discovered, when God lovingly disables our self-reliance, we stop resisting Him and begin clinging to Him instead.
Crucifixion of the Flesh and the Role of Thorns
The crucifixion of the flesh is not just a theological concept but a daily reality for those who yield to the Holy Spirit. Through this process, the Spirit brings our stubborn independence to the cross, rendering it powerless.
God also uses "thorns" in our lives—difficulties, weaknesses, and challenges—to remind us of our need for Him. These thorns, like Jacob’s hip injury, are not punitive but redemptive. They help us recognize that true strength comes not from resisting God but from holding fast to Him.
Holding On to God
When Jacob finally let go of his resistance, he held on to God with all his might, saying, “I will not let You go unless You bless me!” (Genesis 32:26). This transformation from struggling against God to clinging to Him is the essence of grace at work in our lives.
When we surrender our independence, we find that God’s grace is sufficient for every need. As Paul reminds us:
“My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9).
Reflect & Respond
Are there areas in your life where you’re still wrestling with God, resisting His control?
How might God be using challenges or weaknesses to draw you closer to Him?
What would it look like for you to stop resisting and start clinging to Him?
Pray This
“Father, I confess that I often wrestle against Your control, clinging to my own strength and wisdom. Thank You for lovingly breaking through my resistance and showing me that Your grace is sufficient. Thank You for continuing to teach me to hold fast to You, trusting Your strength in my weakness. May I rest in the freedom that comes from total dependence on You. Amen.”
A Final Thought
Jacob’s transformation teaches us a powerful lesson: freedom comes not from resisting God but from surrendering to Him. When we let go of our self-reliance and cling to Him, we experience His grace, His strength, and His peace.
Let us live in the freedom that comes from trusting the One who works all things for our good and His glory.