But whenever someone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image. 2 Corinthians 3:16-18
I’ve heard it said, “Never trust a man who doesn’t walk with a limp.” Not just any kind of limp, but a “Divine Limp.” In Genesis 32:22-31, we see where Jacob got his “Divine Limp” at the place called Peniel, which means “face to face.” Jacob had been a user, manipulator, trickster and more, but yet God never let him go. In spite of his character flaws God still had big plans for Jacob, yet God new in order to fulfill his Divine destiny Jacob would need to come face to face with God and the issues in his life.
God chose that place of encounter and that night while Jacob was all alone, the Angel of God, whom many scholars believe was God Himself, came down and wrestled with him. Jacob was a fighter and had been all his life. Even in this Divine struggle, he was fighting with all his might, when the Angel “touched the joint of Jacob’s thigh.” From that moment on, he never walked the same. From that day forward everyone would be able to easily see his limp and know that something life changing had happened to Jacob. But, God wasn’t finished with what people would see on the outside. The real work would come through what God did on the inside as He blessed Jacob. Look at verses 26-29, The Angel said, “Let me go. For the morning has come.” But Jacob said, “I will not let you go unless you pray that good will come to me” (or bless me.) 27 The Man asked him, “What is your name?” He said, “Jacob.” 28 And the Man said, “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel. For you have fought with God and with men, and have won.” 29 Then Jacob asked him, “Tell me, what is your name?” But he said, “Why is it that you ask my name?” And there he prayed that good would come to Jacob.
Only you and God may know what your “Life Limp” is all about. It may be the passage through the death of a loved one, the loss of a love relationship, or just a heart felt need and desire for change. It’s that thing that you pass through in which you know if it hadn’t been for God and His Grace, you could have never made it. Whatever has or will bring about that “Touch” let God do it. Then, come through that encounter and expect and receive the “Blessing” that will follow. Allow Him to wrestle out that hurt, that pain, and that anguish and then, let Him change your name, thus setting you back on the course for which He brought you into this earth.
That “Limp” won’t be a bad thing at all, but instead the marking of a new life that will never be the same.