Prepare-for-War

Rebecca was driving home one evening in tears. "Lord," she cried, "why can't we have a victory in this situation? Won't you please bless us with Elaine's release from the hospital at least?" "Just how much do you value a blessing from me?" was the instant reply. Then the Holy Spirit flooded the scriptures into Rebecca's mind from Genesis, telling the story of Jacob.

"And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day ... And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he [Jacob] said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me. And he said unto him, What is thy name? And he said, Jacob. And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed. And Jacob asked him, and said, Tell me, I pray thee, thy name. And he said, Wherefore is it that thou dost ask after my name? And he blessed him there. And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved." Genesis 32:24-30.

As Rebecca pondered the scripture the Lord spoke to her again, "Tell me, child, do you value a blessing from me enough to wrestle with me a whole night for it?" Rebecca considered the question. It was already after 9 P.M. and she was exhausted. Her whole body cried out for sleep. As she pulled into the driveway she made her decision, "Yes." That night was one of the first nights of many that Rebecca would spend the whole night awake and on her knees. She prayed, read scripture, and pondered on the things of God. She asked the Lord to reveal to her any sin in her life, and spent much of the time in tears, her heart anguishing over Elaine's suffering. As dawn broke a peace came into her heart and she got up to prepare for another day's work. God answered Rebecca's night in prayer and within a week Elaine improved enough to be discharged from the hospital. Rebecca herself also left that hospital for the last

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