Genesis 32:26 Then he said to him, “Let me go, for the dawn is breaking.” But he said, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.”
Jacob was a persistent man. He would work a situation until he got what he wanted. This wasn’t always a positive trait, as bridges were often burnt after the fact. However, we can learn how to be persistent from him.
God wants us to be persistent in prayer. Paul talks about “Praying without ceasing” , (I Thess. 5:17). The point of one of Jesus’ parables was “To pray and not faint.” (Luke 18:1). Later on in the parable the judge said, “Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.” Luke 18:5. God wants us to keep praying.
What’s the reason that He wants us to persist in prayer? I don’t know, but I can provide some guesses. Guess #1: it builds appreciation. If He were to provide for us the instant we asked, we would be like the spoiled child. The widow in Jesus’ parable needed deliverance from her adversary. Her gratitude was great, because she was desperate. God wants us to be grateful for His provision. As people, our appreciation seems to be proportional to our desperation. I don’t think God wants to toy with us, but He does want us to be thankful. Jesus once healed ten lepers. When one of them returned to say, “Thank you”, Jesus asked where the other nine where. Unfortunately, as soon as we get our need met, we are on to the next acquisition. To be thankful and to retain that attitude is not natural.
Guess #2: it teaches us to be patient. This is a close cousin to guess #1. God promises to take care of our needs, as we trust Him and attempt to live according to His principles. Do we panic as time appears to run out? David said the he had never seen the righteous begging for bread (Ps. 37:25). This doesn’t mean times won’t encounter tough times. He usually answers in ways that we wouldn’t have guessed. But He will provide in His time.
Just as Jacob wouldn’t let go of God until He blessed him. So may we always pray and cling to Him. He will bless.