December 31, 2018 A Day Early

²⁴ And Jacob was left alone. And a man wrestled with him until the breaking of the day. 
(Genesis 32:24 ESV)

²⁶ Then he said, “Let me go, for the day has broken.” But Jacob said, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” (Genesis 32:26 ESV)

One lesson my first five months of retirement has taught me is that activity does not equal accomplishment.  Since my retirement on June 30 I have stayed busy and become involved in several activities.  However, there has been a lack of intensity and focus that has resulted in only surface accomplishment.

Three days ago when I was walking Piper and considering our small group lessons which revolved around Jacob, Esau, Rachel, etc. God brought Jacob's all-night wrestling match to my mind. 

As Jacob was returning to Canaan after 20 years away, he chose to spend the last night before arriving alone.  It was during this solitary evening he was visited by a "man" and spent the entire night locked in a wrestling match.  As dawn approached there was still no victor in the struggle.  

Even after having his hip dislocated, Jacob still refused to tap-out and release the stranger until he had received a blessing.  As a result Jacob's named was changed to Israel, the first time in scripture we see the name which will many centuries later still be used in association with the Middle Eastern nation.

It was Jacob's intensity and focus that kept him in the battle throughout the evening.  His tenacity was what saved the day for him.  He was unwilling to ask quarter until he had received a blessing.

Whether the wrestling match was physical or spiritual, the lesson remains the same.  To achieve and accomplish a level of intensity and focus is required.  We should enter into our daily time with God expecting a word, a blessing, or an insight.  When we engage in projects we should bring to the table our best.  

This will require a change in mindset and time allotment.  Perhaps a daily schedule will need to be established for each day.  Or timers set to keep from driving from activity to activity.  Whatever device or trick is used the end result should be a more focused, results-oriented existence.

Jacob wrestled all night for his blessing.  What are we willing to do to receive the blessings God has for us each day?