I am not worthy of all the unfailing love and faithfulness You have shown to me. Genesis 32:10
Jacob arrived at the end of himself. It had been a long, dark road. Favoritism overshadowed, manipulation mounted, lies were told. Yet…God’s unfailing love and enduring faithfulness redeems every evil thing.
To a fool, dishonesty isn’t internalized as any big deal. Envy, getting ahead, lying—all part of everyday life. “You do what ya gotta do.” “It’s business, it’s not personal.” “We wouldn’t want to offend anyone.” Sound familiar? Whether 18 BC or 2025 AD the human heart beats exactly the same way.
Many think we’re better people than those of the ancient world. We’re more advanced. We differ dramatically in technology, living conditions, social structure, economics, healthcare. And yet, the soul of who we are is as primitive as he called Adam and she named Eve. We’re still motivated by our own self-interests. Adverse to the holiness of our Creator. The heart of us is as evil as it ever was.
Still, the forbearance of God appears in the midst of our sleeplessness. Tenderly He engages in our wrestlings with Him. God, who breathed all life into existence, died on a cross for our sins, is graciously willing to change our name from miserable liar to beloved son and daughter.
The world, the devil, our own natural bent, always says, “I’m good.” “Lighten up.” “Enjoy life.” “Eat drink and do whatever feels good, cuz nothing can kill you.” But my Bible says, “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent.” (Revelation 3:19) Repent…because grace will not be extended forever. Vengeance and judgement are right around the corner.
Our need for Salvation was hard-wired into us. Why else do we wrestle all our lives for something beyond ourselves? Why…we’d all be content if this were not the case. Our soul would be at rest. We wouldn’t want for one more thing. Not one more thing would we need.
Jacob became a whole new man the hour he was to lose the good he never deserved.
“Notice that while Jacob thus pleads his own unworthiness, he is not slow to plead God’s goodness.” (Spurgeon)
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