We do not depend on God's power ~ Till we know we are weak.

If ever there was a man who looked out for himself, it was Jacob.

If ever there was a man who relied upon his own clever manipulating to advance his cause, it was Jacob. Blatant opportunism, bribes, gifts...he tried them all. Dreaming, scheming, demeaning - all to pad the pockets of Old Number One!

One of the most pathetic and telling cries of all scripture is that of Genesis 32:26 "I will not let Thee go except thou bless me."

What is the problem? He had connived to wrest the "blessing" by self-centered deception decades ago. Why is he agonizing for God to give him the blessing? Simply because he has been living with the bitter taste of "stolen waters." He has come to realize that desirable things are only desirable when they are gotten God's way. The way of fleshly advancement is like too much manna in the wilderness. It turns wormy.

"Cursed be the man that trusteth in man." Jeremiah 17:5

But, God's work done in GOD'S WAY shall never lack God's supply.

Jacob's pathway to spiritual victory and power with God had the following crises:

1. He allowed the symptoms to tell him that if something was wrong between himself and his brother, then something was wrong between himself and his God.
2. He got alone with God, admitted his need and let God break him.