Heavenly Springs

Holding Fast The Doctrines of Grace

  • About
  • The Doctrines of Grace
  • My Puerto Rican Grandmother
  • Women of the Reformation
  • Resources & Links
You are here: Home / Uncategorized / A God Given Limp

A God Given Limp

November 29, 2009 by Christina

The Bible tells us that one of the reasons we experience hardship is so “that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.”  (I Corinthians 1:4) In other words, we can expect to be in places where pressure is mounting and distress is great. We shouldn’t be surprised when trials are long and desperate. God has purposed that they produce “patient endurance” in us. What will make the difference in these experiences is  how you minister to others afterwards (or even during). Will you minister from a place of hardness where there is no compassion, or comfort?  Or, will you love them from a place of brokenness?

In Genesis 33 Jacob returns to Canaan and is reunited with his estranged brother Esau. They had not seen each other for over 20 years. Jacob returns with obvious evidence of God’s blessings – flocks, herds, wives, children, etc. However, he’s also coming back with an injury. In Genesis 32:24 we are told, “And Jacob was left alone. And a man wrestled with him until the breaking of the day.” Jacob survived the encounter but only after his hip was supernaturally “put out of joint.”  As a consequence, Jacob would have a limp for the rest of his life.

Upon their reunion, Esau pleads with Jacob to return with him. Jacob declines. He tells his brother in essence, “You go on ahead. As for me, I can’t go any faster than the weak and the frail that are with me. “

In the kingdom of God there will always be people who for one reason or another, lag behind. They are weaker, slower, and frailer than the rest. Jacob’s injury brought him to a place of humility. Never again would he forge ahead in youthful pride and power. Instead he would limp alongside the weak and the feeble.

“No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.”
(Hebrews 12: 11)
Reposted from April 10, 2009.

Share this:

  • Email
  • Print
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • Tumblr
  • Pocket
  • LinkedIn
  • Reddit

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Comments

  1. Lisa Guinther says

    November 29, 2009 at 4:12 pm

    And James wrote,”Consider pure Joy, my bretheren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance ,a nd let endurance have its perfect resutlt, that you may be perfect[mature] and complete, lacking in nothing.” (James 1:2-4)So we all need to press on towards maturity,throught the trials keep our eyes on the “pure joy”; Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith.

  2. Victoria Santos says

    December 1, 2009 at 12:36 am

    God will not put on us more than we can bare. I am reading Genesis now too, but I’m only up to chapter 31. And I hope you had a very happy blessed Thanksgiving.

Categories

Grab a Button!




Recent Posts

  • Yes, you are unworthy!
  • Margaret Clarkson on Human Weakness and the Power of God
  • Crisis, Christ, and Confidence Episode 5: Coronavirus – A Call for the Church to Rise
  • O For A Faith That Will Not Shrink
  • Crisis, Christ, and Confidence Episode 4: Coronavirus, the King of Conspiracies?

Recent Comments

  • Laura A Matesi on My Puerto Rican Grandmother
  • Rose Ali on Resources & Links
  • Liz Blanco on Resources & Links
  • Christina on Resources & Links
  • Liz Blanco on Resources & Links

Archives

Copyright © 2023 · Beautiful Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.