0337. A SPIRITUAL CRISIS.

A SPIRITUAL CRISIS.

"I will not let thee go except thou bless me" (Gen_32:26).

The angelic man who wrestled with Jacob said, "Let me go." Heaven-sent privileges may be very short. The feet of God’s messengers are never tardy.

1. A precious privilege. There wrestled a man with him. He was-

1. Met by One who could bless him. "Except Thou bless me." God has sent His Son to bless you (Act_3:26). In the reading or preaching of the Word you may meet Him. Behold, I stand at the door and knock." "Come unto Me," said the second Man, the Lord from Heaven.

2. Brought into personal contact with Him. "There wrestled a man with him." It is a solemn thing to get into grips with the striving Spirit of God. My Spirit shall not always strive with man. He comes to convince of sin, He wrestles with us because we struggle against Him.

3. Aware that the time was uncertain. The day was breaking and He may soon depart. The day will either bring deliverance or disappointment. "Behold, now is the day of salvation. To-day, if you will hear His voice, harden not your heart" (2Co_6:2-3).

2. A definite purpose. "I will not let thee go except thou bless me." He was-

1. Convicted of his need. "His resisting power was broken down" (Gen_32:25). It is not easy to wrestle with a thigh out of joint. When the Spirit convinces of sin there will soon follow the cry for mercy. When the fountain of earthly pleasure has been dried up there will be a crying after Him who is the Fountain of living water. Bless me, O my Father, also.

2. Conscious of his present opportunity. He realized that the victory must be now or never. What a crisis! Is he to be blessed or unblessed by this special time? What is this day of grace, this day of Divine pleading, going to bring forth for you? Remember the time is short, and remember Lot’s wife.

3. Thoroughly decided in his heart. "I will not let thee go except." Such a holy determination will never go unblessed. Thou shalt find Me when thou shalt seek for Me with all thy heart. "Great is thy faith, be it unto thee even as thou wilt" (Mat_15:28). What wilt thou that I should do unto thee? By faith the walls of Jericho fell down. And He blessed him there (Gen_32:29).

Autor: James Smith