Alone with God

January 5

Then Jacob was left alone; and a Man wrestled with him until the breaking of day. — Genesis 32:24

Scripture reading: Psalm 62:5–63:4

Jacob was given time to think. Oh, to be left alone with God! In the context of the Scripture, we read that several things had preceded his being alone. His wives and his children had been sent ahead. His sheep, oxen, camels, and donkeys had gone ahead. He was alone.

Often, you will find that you are left alone. Whether you like it or not, you will be left alone as Jacob was left alone. His wives could not make atonement for him; his children could not make atonement for him; his money was useless to help him.

What made Jacob come to that place of loneliness, weakness, and knowledge of himself? He recalled the grace with which God had met him twenty-one years before, when he saw the ladder and the angels and heard the voice of God: “Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have spoken to you” (Genesis 28:15). He remembered God‘s mercy and grace.

He was returning to meet his brother Esau, who had become very rich. Esau had been blessed abundantly in the things of this world. He had authority and power to take all that Jacob had and to take vengeance upon him. Jacob knew this. He also knew that there was only one way of deliverance. What was it? Only God could keep Jacob safe. God had met him twenty-one years before when he had left home empty-handed. Now, he was returning with wives, children, and goods, but he was lean in soul and impoverished in spirit. Jacob said to himself, “If I do not get a blessing from God, I can never meet Esau,” and he made up his mind he would not go on until he knew that he had favor with God. Jacob was left alone. Unless we get alone with God, we will surely perish. God intervenes when conflict exists. The way of revelation is plain. The Holy Spirit‘s plan is so clear that we have to say God was in it after all.

Jacob was left alone. He knelt alone. The picture is so real to me. Alone! He began to think. He thought about the ladder and the angels. I think as he began to pray, his tongue stuck to the roof of his mouth. Jacob had to get rid of a lot of things. It had all been Jacob! As he got alone with God, he knew it. If you get alone with God, you will find it to be a place of revelation. Jacob was left alone, alone with God. We stay too long with our relations, our camels, and our sheep. Jacob was left alone. Hour after hour passed. He began to feel the presence of God, but he still had not received the desired blessing.

Jacob said, “I will not let You go unless You bless me!” (Genesis 32:26). And God blessed him: “Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel” (v. 28). The change of Jacob to Israel was wonderful! Israel! Victory all the time! God is building all the time. God is sufficient all the time. Now Jacob had power over the cattle, power over Esau, power over the world. All was in subjection as he came out of the great night of trial. The sun rose upon him. Oh, that God may take us on in the same way.

Thought for today: God intends for people to be severed by the force of His power, so hold fast; He will never let go. If we let go, we will fall short.

与神独处

1月5日

雅各独自留下来，有一人夜里与他摔跤，直到黎明。——创世记 32:24

经文阅读：诗篇 62:5–63:4

雅各得到了思考的时间。哦，能够独自与上帝相处！在圣经的背景下，我们读到，在他独处之前发生了几件事。他的妻子和孩子们已经先行离开。他的羊、牛、骆驼和驴也都先行离开。他独自一人。

你常常会发现自己被独自留下。无论你喜欢与否，你都会像雅各布那样被独自留下。他的妻子无法为他赎罪；他的孩子无法为他赎罪；他的钱也无济于事，无法帮到他。

是什么让雅各来到那个孤独、软弱并认识自己的地方？他回想起二十一年前上帝以恩典与他相遇的情景，那时他看见了天梯和天使，听见上帝的声音说：“看哪，我与你同在，凡你往哪里去，我必保佑你，领你归回此地；我必不离开你，直到我成全对你所说的一切”（创世记 28:15）。他记起了上帝的怜悯和恩典。

他正要回去见他的兄弟以扫，以扫已经变得非常富有。以扫在世俗的事物上得到了丰富的祝福。他有权力和能力夺走雅各所有的一切，并向他报复。雅各知道这一点。他也知道只有一条出路。那是什么呢？只有神才能保护雅各的安全。二十一年前，当雅各空手离家时，神就与他相遇。现在，他带着妻子、孩子和财物归来，但他的灵魂仍然瘦弱，精神仍然贫乏。雅各对自己说：“如果我不能从神那里得到祝福，我永远无法见以扫，”于是他下定决心，在确认自己蒙神喜悦之前，他绝不前行。雅各独自一人留下。除非我们与神独处，否则我们必定会灭亡。当冲突存在时，神会介入。启示之道是明确的。圣灵的计划如此清晰，以至于我们不得不说，这一切归根结底都是神的作为。

雅各独自留下。他独自跪下。这幅画对我来说如此真实。独自一人！他开始思考。他想到了梯子和天使。我想当他开始祈祷时，他的舌头粘在了口腔的上颚上。雅各必须摆脱许多东西。这一切都是雅各自己！当他与上帝独处时，他明白了。如果你与上帝独处，你会发现那是一个启示的地方。雅各独自留下，独自与上帝同在。我们与亲人、骆驼和羊群相处太久。雅各独自留下。一小时又一小时过去。他开始感受到上帝的存在，但他仍未获得渴望的祝福。

雅各说：“我不让你走，除非你赐福给我！”（创世记 32:26）。上帝于是赐福给他：“你的名字不再叫雅各，要叫以色列”（28节）。雅各改名为以色列，这是多么奇妙啊！以色列！永远胜利！上帝一直在建造。上帝一直是足够的。现在雅各掌管牲畜，掌管以扫，掌管世界。当他走出那黑暗的试炼之夜时，一切都归于顺服。太阳照在他身上。哦，愿上帝以同样的方式引导我们。

今日的思考：上帝意图用祂的力量将人分开，所以要紧紧抓住；祂永远不会放手。如果我们松手，我们将会失败。