The prayer meeting started strong. The anointing was there to lift Jesus higher in our midst. We sang not only in English, but in different Nigerian languages. As the praise was going up, an evening sacrifice pleasing to God, we sensed His presence stronger in the sanctuary. The best way I can describe is this: the heaviness of the ‘blanket’ of the glory of God fell upon us. I felt we were in another place, surely not in Warri, Nigeria. The place had a fragrance, a sweet perfume… I found myself thinking: only kings can afford this perfume, and only on special occasions…I looked around, we were all small men, with jeans and slippers…did God make a mistake to visit us? Apparently not! Grace was revealed again in the church tonight…then the message followed…it was easy to preach, not because I am smart, but such a presence, even a mosquito can sing…Thank You Lord Jesus…

THE LONG WAY BACK HOME – SPIRITUAL PROGRESS

“But Jacob said, “I will not let You go unless You bless me… And He blessed him there” (Gen 32:26, 29)

Jacob has finally separated from Laban. God told him to go back to Bethel (the House of God) where the dream started. God also promised to be with him on the journey. The road back home is not easy. The first obstacle he has to overcome is his brother Esau. He cheated him in the past. It is because of Esau’s deadly anger that he ran away from home. He now comes back, twenty years later, an older more humble man, wealthy, married and with children.

When he hears that Esau comes to meet him with four hundred men Jacob is afraid. This can only mean war. His guilty conscience makes him even more afraid. He knows that the only One who can save him and his family is Jehovah God. Desperate, Jacob prays to God! We did not read of any real prayer in Haran. But now, Jacob truly prays. He pleads with God, His covenant and blessings. He reminds God of His word and promises. He comes humbly but boldly before the throne of grace, to find this unmerited favor in his time of need. He prays for deliverance from his enemy.

“Then Jacob was left alone…” (Gen 32:24). This is a very powerful word.

This is a great lesson: Except you are ready to come alone before God He will not answer you. For as long as you hide in the crowd and you say amen to other men’s prayers, you are not yet ready for an encounter.

But Jacob was ready… God answers by visiting him. He comes as a man wresting with him until day break.  I do not think Jacob knew at the beginning that this Man was an Angel, was our Lord manifesting in flesh. It is when the Angel touched his hip and weakened his strength that suddenly he knew this has to be God. In the past he struggled with men and he won based on his cleverness and deceit. Now, for the first time in his life, he lost the match. Thru losing, Jacob discover the true Champion, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!

His name Jacob means ‘The Supplanter’. It means a schemer, a man who takes the place of another thru deceitful means.  He deceived Isaac, Esau and Laban. But this night at Penuel he failed to overturn God. Please observe that the Angel did not remove the tendon of the hip. He only shrank it. That ‘operation’ stands for the work of the Holy Spirit on the flesh of a man who is saved. Penuel means ‘face to face’.  It is at Penuel that Jacob really became born again. What a night! What a Savior!