The Portion of my Inheritance

It has been all these years that He bids me to come and ask Him. To intercede on their behalf and it begins, this crying out to Him and the petitions rise up and I labor on.      

And there are also these moments that tie me up, holding me down and I feel weary and I ask Him again, “Do I labor in vain Lord?”

 And He lifts me up and I can hear the whisper, quiet like, “You are the persistent mother.”

And my mind races back through the ages to the story in Luke (18:2-8) of the persistent widow and I finally understand! “Yes Lord! I can see it now.” And I understand that He presses me on.      

Just days later, He shows me anew. Right out of left field it hits me hard. It comes from the story of Jacob, the one I have read over and over and over. But this here, this new twist that He shows me plunges deep in my heart and I am stunned by His tender care of me, by His PERSISTENCE in showing me over and over and encouraging me on and on.  

 Jacob wrestled with God and Jacob prevailed and how could that be? Even in his greatest strength Jacob could not win a wrestling match against God! And I read it again and again.     

“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!” So He said to him, “What is your name? He said, “Jacob.”   And He said, “Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel; for you have struggled with God and with men, and have prevailed.” Then Jacob asked, saying, “Tell me Your name, I pray.” And He said, “Why is it that you ask about My name?” And He blessed him there. So Jacob called the name of the place Peniel; “For I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.”   Just as he crossed over Penuel the sun rose on him, and he limped on his hip. Genesis 32:24-31      

And there it was! It has been there the whole time and my eyes glaze over the words until He opens them up and I finally can see the amazing truth of it all!     

Jacob did not prevail because of his great strength. Jacob prevailed because he was persistent! He refused to let go of the One Person that he knew could bless him, the One thing that would make the difference for him, and Jacob held on and he would not give  up!       

 And his persistence paid off—-God blessed Jacob. And Jacob was never the same again . . not in name, not in spirit and not physically. It amazes me how God’s blessings can come out of pain, but Jacob is living proof of that awesome truth. Jacob limped away that day a new man, his name had become Israel and the blessings of God were all over him.   

 I drink it in deep and my heart overflows with gratitude to my Lord. And I too am changed as I look to Him in this new light, and I come once again, and again. I make my vow to Him then and there, I will not let go, I will hold on with everything I have.            

And He bids me to come and ask Him. To intercede on their behalf and it begins, this crying out to Him and the petitions rise up and I labor on. . . . . . .  

Confess your trespasses to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. James 5:16