His troubled heart couldn’t find peace. After so many years, his sin was catching up with him. In less than twenty-four hours, he was meeting the man he had wronged twenty years ago, the man he had been running from, his long-estranged twin brother.
Fearful of retaliation, he sent peace offerings ahead of him, this time fearing for his family’s safety. But all he received in return was silence, a silence that echoed his inner turmoil. Lost and without answers, he turned to the One and only giver of peace, fighting his way to it with a desperation that was palpable.
A night of struggle
In his mind, he knew God was with him; however, the impertinent voice of a guilty conscience kept him restless. Desperate, he stayed behind the traveling group, alone, or so he thought. It was then, during his darkest hour, both literally and figuratively, that he met face-to-face with God. Not only did he meet with God, but he wrestled with Him, argued with Him, and clung with all his might to Him, refusing to let go until receiving a blessing.
Peace, a fruit of the Spirit
Jacob’s story starts with a lot of turbulence. Genesis 25:26 shows that his relationship with his brother had been conflictive since the womb. Years later, his life decisions only complicated the matter, and he condemned himself to live as a fugitive. With a heavy and complicated past hanging like a dark cloud over him wherever he went, he saw himself unable to prevent the shadows of his previous mishaps from hanging over his interpersonal relationships, which were anything but peaceful. (Don’t even get me started on his family dynamics). But amid the chaos, God was still with him. At his most troubled hour, He showed up, willing to offer Jacob the peace no one else could give him.
Cultivating peace above the storm
In Genesis 28, we read about a life-changing dream that Jacob received from God. In this dream, God reassured Jacob of His presence as he ran, scared for his life, to an unknown and foreign land. In Genesis 32, we find Jacob twenty years older; despite having more years of life experience under his belt, he feels even more scared and troubled than he did when he was young. After a night of struggle with God, Jacob moves forward in peace and reconciles with his brother.
The toils and perils we experience in this life are a never-ending cycle. It’s a gloomy fact about this sinful world, but a fact, nevertheless. However, as much of a point as that may be, it doesn’t mean we can’t cultivate peace above the storm.
One day at a time
A detail from Jacob’s night of struggle that stands out to me is how he sought solitude. During that time alone, he met with God face to face. This reminds me of Jesus’ habit of seeking solitude to spend time with His Father alone. Remember Jesus’ final night of struggle in the garden of Gethsemane? Mark 14. His Father alone gave Him peace beyond understanding to face the weekend leading to crucifixion.
If you haven’t gotten into the habit of spending time alone with Jesus yet, I encourage you to start today. In Him and only Him, you will find the strength to face the trials and tribulations of this life with peace beyond understanding.
“And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:7
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