So who is not limping?

And Jacob was left alone. And a man wrestled with him until the breaking of the day. When the man saw that he did not prevail against Jacob, he touched his hip socket, and Jacob’s hip was put out of joint as he wrestled with him. Then he said, “Let me go, for the day has broken.” But Jacob said, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” And he said to him, “What is your name?” And he said, “Jacob.” Then he said, “Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with men, and have prevailed.” Then Jacob asked him, “Please tell me your name.” But he said, “Why is it that you ask my name?” And there he blessed him. So Jacob called the name of the place Peniel, saying, “For I have seen God face to face, and yet my life has been delivered.” The sun rose upon him as he passed Penuel, limping because of his hip. Therefore to this day the people of Israel do not eat the sinew of the thigh that is on the hip socket, because he touched the socket of Jacob’s hip on the sinew of the thigh. (Genesis 32:24–32)

Jacob, the believing heir to God’s promises, continually tried to get there in his own strength and ideas. He was a strong, self-confident, clever and self-sufficient person, who was sure he could do anything. 

God had to break his human strength and wisdom so that He might give him divine strength and wisdom. Even in losing this wrestling match, he still hung on for a blessing, knowing he was now utterly helpless without the healing, quickening, protecting power of his Master. This sense of total debility and utter defeat is now the secret of his power with God. As Paul later wrote: 

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Corinthians 12:9–10)

Jacob also knew that God would bless his ernest pleas in his helplessness. Even as the wrenched tendons and muscles of his strongest body part healed, he was left with a limp that revealed God had overcome his self-will. This was vital and even many years later, the people would not eat that part, showing the impact of this event.

Therefore, to this day, all who yield to the One who calls us have a limp. We cannot live the Christian lives in our own strength. I chuckle at those who say our faith is a crutch — of course it is — for who of us is not limping? And if we are not, then God is yet to be encountered.

Jesus, my self-will is a sneaking and persistent hindrance to fully trusting You. I try to do all the right things, think the best thoughts, and yet it is only when I admit my utter helplessness that You come to my aid. Even during this sickness, I’ve learned much about the bane of thinking I can do this, but I cannot. I need You for everything, every moment, and must always be willing to admit that I still limp.