A Wrestling Match

The most dramatic night of Jacob’s life took place on the River Jabbok. He feared the encounter he was about to have with his brother Esau. At some point during the night, someone grabbed Jacob around the neck and threw him to the ground. On and on through the night, they wrestled. Who was this stranger? Jacob would later say, “I have seen God face to face, yet my life has been spared” (Genesis 32:30 NLT).

God let Jacob fight until it appeared that Jacob was in control. And then, with one touch, God dislocated his hip. Jacob fell to the ground, broken and humbled. The hip is the largest weight-bearing joint, and it engages some of the strongest muscles. Yet it was putty at the touch of the Stranger. The message of the dislocation? “You aren’t as strong as you think. Rely on me.” Is that a message for you?

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Max Lucado
Max Lucado is a pastor, speaker, and best-selling author who, in his own words, “writes books for people who don’t read books.” He serves the people of Oak Hills Church in San Antonio, Texas, and his message is for the hurting, the guilty, the lonely, and the discouraged: God loves you; let him.As a writer, Max is known for combining poetic storytelling and homespun humor with the heart of a pastor. All of his trade books began as sermon series at Oak Hills Church, and his sermons all begin with Max asking himself this question: “What can I say on Sunday that will still matter on Monday?” He’s been dubbed “America’s Pastor” by Christianity Today, and “The Best Preacher in America” by Reader’s Digest.Max’s books have sold more than 145 million copies in over 50 languages worldwide. He published On the Anvil, his first trade book, in 1985. His 44th trade book, Help Is Here, was released in 2022. Max’s books regularly appear on bestseller lists, including The New York Times. His writing has also been featured in Bible studies, Bible commentaries, songs, greeting cards, and even plush toys. He is the recipient of the 2021 ECPA Pinnacle Award for his outstanding contribution to the publishing industry.read more...  
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