The happiest heart in the world is that in which faith and
prayer have undisturbed rule. The truth of this statement follows from the fact that faith
has the key of heaven; and prayer has the ear of God. And who is as happy as the man who
is always free to enter within the veil and hold communion there? Beseech the Spirit to
fan these graces into a bright flame. With this desire let us hasten to Peniel and tarry
there until a holy fire is kindled!
Jacob's hard servitude is ended. Home, with its fond endearments, is again before him,
but, when he reaches the borders of his native land, he finds it garrisoned with perils.
Esau, terrible in fury, mighty in force, is armed to intercept, and to destroy. The
wanderer who fled from death, returns to die. But many terrors quench not faith. Jacob,
urged by its impulse, flies directly to the mercy-seat. He humbles himself, as unworthy of
grace's least crumb. Thus faith strips itself of all, that all the glory may be God's. He
pleads that he is in obedience's path. Faith has no other ground on which to stand. He
meekly claims the promises; for gracious promises are the title-deeds of hope. But faith,
busy in heaven, is not idle upon earth. In thoughtfulness and diligence it sows the seed,
from which successes spring. With upward eye it labors and prevails; while unbelief looks
inward-downward and so fails.
The plans of Jacob are all wisely formed. Then darkness mantles the earth, but it brings
no pillow for his head. It stands, and stands alone, on Jabbok's banks. We here see again,
how grace gains oil for his lamp. Reader, be sure of this; he is not a thriving and a
well-stored saint, who is not much in solitary communion with God. No public ordinances,
no social worship, no Christian fellowship, no mutual interchange of godly thought, can be
a substitute for the solitude of the prayer closet. It is when all things are banished,
that the smiles of Jesus are most sweet, His voice most clear, His comforts most
supporting; then the Word reveals its treasures, and the promises teem with life. Many
mourn lifelessness of spirit, and fruitlessness in work. The withering cause may be, that
busy haunts are too busily frequented, and the quiet chamber is too rarely sought. But is
the lonely Jacob alone long? Oh no, a stranger suddenly draws near, and grapples with him,
and strives with mighty energy to stay his progress, and to lay him in the dust. But who
thus wrestles in the solemn stillness of this solemn night? The form is human, but the
person is Divine. But what is the cause of this wrestling? Every act of Jesus is a volume
written within and without in golden letters of instruction. Thus Jacob, and every
successive pilgrim, learns, that the land of promise is only gained by battling through
opposing hosts. Reader, if you know little of spiritual conflict, it may be you know
nothing of the camp of Christ. Examine yourself. Are you truly in the faith? If so, at the
cross you have drawn a sword, which never finds a scabbard upon earth, and rarely finds a
respite of repose. They, who win the crown, fight a good fight. "The kingdom of
heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force." But perhaps the struggle,
though severe, was short? Not so. It lasted until "the breaking of the day."
Earth is a vale of darkness and of gloom. But yet a little while the shadows will flee
away. The brightness of a cloudless eternity will dawn. The weary pilgrim will enter the
city which has "no need of the sun, neither of the moon to shine in it, for the glory
of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof." Then, in a perfect place,
there will be perfect rest. Next the prowess of Jacob claims our wonder. Though nothing
but a feeble worm, he is not crushed. He awakens again and again his energies. He exerts
again and again every vigor of every nerve. He is but flesh and blood, as we are, yet he
cannot be subdued.
It is very important, that we rightly see what was the grand mainspring of Jacob's
indomitable heroism. It cannot be too plainly urged, that it was faith. He followed the
Lord fully. He knew that the voice, which called him, was victory. Hence he was confident,
that it were easier to scale and storm the heavens, than to frustrate his assured success.
Faith is a rock, when thus on the Rock of promise. It is not of earth, therefore it is
imperishable. It is of heaven, therefore its energies are Divine. It looks to Jesus,
therefore it overlooks all difficulties. It leans on Jesus, therefore it is as firm as
God. But Jacob wrestled not in faith only, but in supplication and in tears. "Yes he
struggled with the Angel and prevailed, he wept and sought favor from Him." (Hos.
12:4). We learn, that faith is always in earnest, therefore it prays. It is always humble,
therefore it weeps. Here, again, a door is opened in heaven; and we see Jehovah vanquished
by a praying saint. True prayer is indeed bold. It draws near to God, and wrestles with
Him, and gives Him no rest, until an approving smile testifies that the appeal is granted.
God neither can, nor will, release Himself from the intensity of prayerful efforts. He
cannot, because the truth is set up in heaven, that prayer shall prosper. He will not,
because prayer is the moving of His Spirit in the heart, and the speaking of His Spirit on
the lips. To deny prayer would be to deny Himself. To be silent to it would be to be
silent unto Himself. "If we ask anything according to His will, He hears us: and if
we know that He hears us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we
desired of Him."
Oh my soul, examine well the Scripture's picture of prayer. It is "to take hold"
of Him, (Isa. 64:7). It is "taking hold of His strength," (Isa. 27:5). It is to
"give Him no rest," (Isa. 62:7). Learn these truths in their power. Use them as
the habit of your life. Then you will know prosperity and peace of soul. But the heart
strong in faith and prayer loses all nature's hardness. It becomes soft, as the sympathy
of Jesus: and tender, as the whispers of His grace. Thus Jacob's streaming eye proclaimed
with what subdued sincerity he loved the Lord, whom he so tightly grasped, and how deeply
he was melted by inward consciousness of sin's demerit. Reader, remember, except you have
faith, and prayer, and brokenness of heart, you have no signs of life. Prove, then,
yourself at Peniel. Never quit, until you hear these words, "Great is thy faith, be
it unto thee even as thou wilt." And again, "Behold he prayeth." And again,
"She hath washed My feet with tears; therefore, her sins, which are many, are
forgiven, for she loved much."
But we are so framed, that spiritual greatness may be a snare. It may lead to boasting,
which is destructive victory, which leaves the victor in the chains of pride. Our guardian
Lord knew this, and since it is better to prevent than to heal, He "touched the
hollow of Jacob's thigh, and it was out of joint." Here we have a mirror, which
reflects many of the Lord's dealings with His favored children. In prevailing they are
crippled, lest by prevailing they should perish. Strong grace is checked by enfeebled
flesh, lest it should climb the dizzy heights of self-esteem. Many halting infirmities
convince them that a yielding Lord has power to lay low. They learn that victory is His
gift, and not the wages of their might. They feel that they are broken reeds, except God
works with them to will and to do. Let us behold once more the triumphs of persevering
faith. The angel concedes the victory, and asks to be released from the unyielding arms.
Jacob, with limb disjointed, but with faith confirmed, seeks no advantage but an increase
of heavenly favor. With holy boldness he exclaims, "I will not let Thee go, except
Thou bless me." He cares not for healing of body, or for outward prosperity, he only
asks for increased tokens of God's love, and for increased health within. "Bless
me," is his prayer. Such noble yearnings are the Lord's delight. He honors them,
because they honor Him, He crowns them with all that God Himself can give.
Count, if you can, the spoil which Jacob won, when the Lord blessed him there! And the
Lord gave him a new name which give perpetual fame to this exploit. [His name was changed
from Jacob to Israel]. Heroic deeds have endless life. Wherever the Word of God is
preached or read, Israel is a title, which tells of Jacob's princely power with God and
men. The record is true. As a prince, he constrained God to bless him. As a prince, he
drew the heart of Esau like a captive into his arms. Reader, be an Israelite indeed, and
heaven is yours, and earth is yours. Heaven is yours to bless you. Earth is yours to serve
you. Jacob receives a name, and gives a name. He calls the place Peniel, "for I have
seen God face to face, and my life is preserved." Again I say, be an Israelite
indeed, and every place will be your Peniel. In every scene you will behold God near.
Through life, in death, you will have an eye to gaze undazzled on Him. Your secret chamber
will be Peniel - as you kneel, God will come down, and show His smiling face. The family
sanctuary will be Peniel - you will see Him extending the wings of mercy over you and
yours. Every page of the Bible will be Peniel - bright with the radiance of Him, who is
"the Light of Life," and "the Sun of Righteousness." Your post of
daily toil will be Peniel - for you will set the Lord always before you. His earthly
temples will be Peniel - in the prayers and praises of the assembled worshippers, in the
proclamations of His truth, He will manifest Himself unto you, as He does not unto the
world. Your dying bed will still be Peniel. Jesus will come again, to bear you safely to
the Father's home. Eternity will be glorious!
Reference Used: The Gospel In Genesis by Henry Law