Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1914-02-05

spired man woul,
| have left out thu
| dark pages ant
| ~ 49, dark places.
Jacob was 8
wonderful character and God intend
ed him for a great work. although to
accomplish his purpose he had hard
work with this one of the leaders OF
the Jewish race. To understand this
character requires and invites pro.
found study. and as result we shall
not be inclined to throw stones at
him. How much he is like ourselves.
His failings appeal to us and comfort
us; his aspirations speak to us and
cheer US In our own efforts; his sor-
rows bring comfort In our own times
Of bereavement and separation. II
ever you are discouraged or down
hearted. take courage. The God who
wrought wonders in Jacob and In
Simon Peter can do as much for you,
II he can have his way with you.
The chapter in which the text is
found is a great chapter in the life
Il this unusual man, and marks d
crisis in his temporal career and in
his spiritual experience; and the lat
ter was of far more Importance, for
God was making this man a new head
OF the race which he had designated |
as his own. There are three i'm
portant scenes in the chapter. Morn
ing, when the angel host met him:
afternoon, when he received news that
Easau was coming to meet him and
this news stirred him to fear and
brought aim to prayer; and night,
when he was alone with God and
here wrestled a man with him. In
hese scenes the temporal and spir
tual life of Jacob begin anew, and
wo lessons stand out clearly: First,
Tod demands spiritual men for spir
tual work; second. surrender to God
3 the only but the necessary condi-
ion to this spiritual life. At the
nd OF the struggle we read that God
lessed him there.
The Touch. r.
"And when he saw that he prevail
q not against him he touched the
ollow Of his thigh: and the hollow
Jacobs thigh was out of joint, al q
Q wrestled with him" Just where {
acob considers himself the strongest,
lere God put his finger and brings his
.rength to naught; 1t is only when c
Q are weak that we are really /
rong: 1t 10 just when God has put
Is finger on our place Of resistance /,
ut the way 10 open for blessing.
over and usefulness. It is a differ +
1t place and different experience b
ith each one of us. God brings pain
I'd sorrow, shame and confusion, or
80 and grief, as the case may be. In
thousand different ways he seeks to cl
AXE US like unto himself; but at the
ID he accomplishes his purposes and al
uses US to rejoice in him. His
UGH always takes away the power K
wrestle. but not always the desire; b,
t may 1t do that for you, and do it W
w. n,
The Question. te
What is thy manner" And he told IA
e truth; let us give this willy man ali
edit for that. few days ago he -
,uld have said it-and with pride
t now with confession and confu Us
IN: And he said, Jacob" God asks
u that question; pray you, tell him "a "a
. truth. You may hide your real ~
me and character from men, but not VI
I'm God. Be honest with him. II 40
~ bring shame. confusion. tears. but
him that you thought you were IA
and so, but now at close grips with
d you know you are only Jacob ~
lie and full of sin | am, thou are 90
| of grace and truth" Gods great ~
difficulty IL our own lack of hon :"
y, want of fairness. and failure to
. up everything except claim on w
J righteousness Of Jesus Christ. ~
The Result.
And he said, Thy name shall be LAT
led no more Jacob (SuplanterD, but Ca
ael: for as a prince hast thou pow. Ca
with God and with men, and hast mi
vailed. And he blessed for
] there. And the sun rose q
IN him" Three gracious results IN
owed this remarkable experience3 ]
lew name OF character. anew pow the
and new experience; no wonder "
OBJ called the name of the Olece "
lfel. For I have met God face to MOI
81 cal
nd he blessed him there. May all
Ne Blessings be yours. God has sai'
lie such promise TO yoa. Rev. 2;l7 6
3:l2. Close with God ere yeu =
ID reading this sentence: the only INV
! 10 these blessings IL By the way wit
But when you take sai'
step then God undertakes for y0a