Story of Jacob

I feel connected to Jacob.  He took a very long time to trust in the Lord.  He tried to manipulate his situation, as I did today, rather than trusting in God that everything will work itself out. 
God touched his hip and had him walk with a limp for the rest of his days.  I guess I have already been touched ;p

Jacob's story....


Jacob was one of the great patriarchs of the Old Testament, but at times he was also a schemer, liar, and manipulator.
God established his covenant with Jacob's grandfather, Abraham. The blessings continued through Jacob's father, Isaac, then to Jacob and his descendants. Jacob's sons became leaders of the 12 tribes of Israel.
The younger of twins, Jacob was born holding on to his brother Esau's heel. His name means "he grasps the heel" or "he deceives." Jacob lived up to his name. He and his mother Rebekah cheated Esau out of his birthright and blessing. Later in Jacob's life, God renamed him Israel, which means "he struggles with God."
In fact, Jacob struggled with God his entire life, as many of us do. As he matured in faith, Jacob depended on God more and more. But the turning point for Jacob came after a dramatic, all-night wrestling match with God. In the end the Lord touched Jacob's hip and he was a broken man, but also a new man. From that day forward, Jacob was called Israel. And for the rest of his life he walked with a limp, demonstrating his dependence on the Lord. Jacob finally learned to give up control to God.
Jacob's story teaches us how an imperfect person can be greatly blessed by God--not because of who he or she is, but because of who God is.

Jacob's Accomplishments:

Jacob in the Bible account, fathered 12 sons, who became leaders of the 12 tribes of Israel. One of them was Joseph, a key figure in the Old Testament.
His name is frequently associated with God in the Bible: the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
Jacob persevered in his love for Rachel. He proved to be a hard worker.

Jacob's Strengths:

Jacob was clever. Sometimes this trait worked for him and sometimes it backfired on him.
He used both his mind and strength to build his wealth and family.

Jacob's Weaknesses:

Sometimes Jacob made his own rules, deceiving others for selfish gain. He did not trust God to work things out.
Even though God revealed himself to Jacob in the Bible, Jacob took a long time to become a true servant of the Lord.
He favored Joseph over his other sons, leading to jealousy and strife within his family.

Life Lessons:

The sooner we trust God in life, the longer we will benefit from his blessings. When we fight God, we are in a losing battle.
We often worry about missing the will of God for our life, but God works with our mistakes and bad decisions. His plans cannot be upset.

Hometown:

Canaan.

Referenced in the Bible:

Jacob's story is found in Genesis chapters 25-37, 42, 45-49. His name is mentioned throughout the Bible in connection with God: "the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob."

Occupation:

Shepherd, prosperous owner of sheep and cattle.

Family Tree:

Father: Isaac
Mother: Rebekah
Brother: Esau
Grandfather: Abraham
Wives: Leah, Rachel
Sons: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun, Gad, Asher, Joseph, Benjamin, Dan, Naphtali
Daughter: Dinah

Key Verses:

Genesis 28:12-15
He had a dream in which he saw a stairway resting on the earth, with its top reaching to heaven, and the angels of God were ascending and descending on it. There above it stood the LORD, and he said: "I am the LORD, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac. I will give you and your descendants the land on which you are lying. Your descendants will be like the dust of the earth, and you will spread out to the west and to the east, to the north and to the south. All peoples on earth will be blessed through you and your offspring. I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you." (NIV)
Genesis 28:20-22
Then Jacob made a vow, saying, "If God will be with me and will watch over me on this journey I am taking and will give me food to eat and clothes to wear so that I return safely to my father's household, then the LORD will be my God and this stone that I have set up as a pillar will be God's house, and of all that you give me I will give you a tenth." (NIV)
Genesis 32:28
Then the man said, "Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with humans and have overcome." (NIV)

My heart is dying to explode.

God, I wanted you to reveal yourself in a big way today.  I tried to create an opportunity and I was let down.  I will try not to get frustrated.   It just hard when I am sitting here ready to pounce.  Waiting and knowing that the story that I would create would be such a testimony.   I am in a situation where there is really nothing that I can do but see where You take me.   I have been backed into a corner that only You can get me out of. 
I feel like this year will define so much.   I try not to get anxious about that.   I made the biggest mistake of my life and I want it to be something that I learn from, rather than something I will always be stuck on.   The learning part has come and has lit a new fire within me.   But the stuck part remains.   Its like standing in quicksand.
I will continue to scratch, claw and fight.   There is always an easy way out.   I've crept into that darkness before.   But this time I will continue to trust in You.   You will guide me on how to handle this and how to achieve my dreams.  
I know that You know what I kind of person I really am.   I know that You will use me and make me even better.   You have cleansed me of so much and You continue to hold me.  
I am sorry God that I am asking for the big explosion rather than the slow crescendo.   I am just so ready to create that story.   I know that You will lead me where I need to go.   Love is hard to suppress.  My heart is dying to explode.