So Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him till daybreak. When the man saw that he could not overpower him, he touched the socket of Jacob's hip so that his hip was wrenched as he wrestled with the man. Then the man said, "Let me go, for it is daybreak." But Jacob replied, "I will not let you go unless you bless me."
Genesis 32:24-26

So often, the presence of God will visit us and we will enjoy it in small quantities. We are very greatful and we hope to experience it again. But we do not fight to retain it. We do not have the zeal of Jacob who refused to let God go unless he recieved a blessing.

Like Jacob, Moses refused to let go of the promises of God. When God told Moses to lead the Israelites into the promised land without His Spirit, Moses refused. He would not let go of the promises that God had given to his people. It was this refusal to let go that gave Moses favor in God's sight.

Those who seek the Lord will be filled with the zeal of Jacob. The psalmist recognized this when he said, "such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek your face, O God of Jacob." Perhaps the the difference between the passive and the zealous Christian is this: when God comes the zealous won't let him go.


Angela of Foligno was told by Christ "Make yourself a capacity, and I will make myself a torrent." We were beginning to feel something of the torrent of God this morning. The small bowls of our hearts were overflowing with the torrent of his presence.

Notice how similar is the posture of Jacob in his battle with the Lord and Angela opening her heart to the torrent of Christ. Although, initially we may think that Jacob exercises the greater zeal, his is an image of a physical striving that Angela is modeling in prayer.

As we cultivate a zeal for the Lord, through increased prayer and disciplining our hearts to seek his Face, stength will rise up to take hold of him and we will refuse to let him go. Our capacity for his presence will expand. And I believe that we will experience his presence more often and more powerfully.

Seek His Face Always