The Mark Of Change

Genesis 32:21-32
So went the present over before him: and himself lodged that night in the company. And he rose up that night, and took his two wives, and his two womenservants, and his eleven sons, and passed over the ford Jabbok. And he took them, and sent them over the brook, and sent over that he had. And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day. And when he saw that he prevailed not against him, he touched the hollow of his thigh; and the hollow of Jacob's thigh was out of joint, as he wrestled with him. And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me. And he said unto him, What is thy name? And he said, Jacob. And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed. And Jacob asked him, and said, Tell me, I pray thee, thy name. And he said, Wherefore is it that thou dost ask after my name? And he blessed him there. And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved. And as he passed over Penuel the sun rose upon him, and he halted upon his thigh. Therefore the children of Israel eat not of the sinew which shrank, which is upon the hollow of the thigh, unto this day: because he touched the hollow of Jacob's thigh in the sinew that shrank.

Thought For Today:
The story of Jacob has always amazed me. 
From the moment Jacob’s parents send him away to save his life from Esau, to meeting Rachel, and through the tricks Uncle Laban plays on him with his wives, the ten changes in his wages, and after all those years, Jacob remains afraid of Esau when God instructs him to return home. What I also appreciate about Jacob's story is his action at the ford of Jabbok.  If you will notice, Jacob is willing to forgo everything in order to obtain assurance from God that He is with him.   And there, on the other side, all alone by himself, he wrestles with a man until the breaking of the day.  Jacob is determined to cling to God and not release Him, despite the pain and hurt it causes.  Jacob has his hip dislocated and will walk with a limp for the rest of his life, all to gain some assurance and peace of mind from God.  Jacob doesn't complain to God about his hip being pulled out of joint, nor does he ask God to heal him.  He's willing to bear this mark for the rest of his life.  He just simply says, "For I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved."  Many would look at Jacob and ask why he didn't let the man go.  No friend, this wound reveals Jacob's strength.  This wound reveals his willingness to bear the mark of Christ in his life.  What marks are you willing to bear in your body to show that you have met God face to face and that you know your life has been preserved?