Genesis 32:31-32 And as he passed over Penuel the sun rose on him, and he halted on his thigh.… I. FROM THE GREAT CONFLICT WITH SIN NONE COME OFF WITHOUT MANY A SCAR. We may wrestle and prevail, but there will be touches of the enemy, which will leave their long and bitter memories. The way to heaven is made of falling down and rising up again. The battle is no steady, onward fight, but rallies and retreats, retreats and rallies. II. The reason of our defeats is that THE OLD SIN OF THE CHARACTER CONTINUES, AND CONTINUES WITH UNABATED FORCE, IN THE HEART OF A CHILD OF GOD. There are two ways in which sin breaks out and gains an advantage over a believer. 1. A new temptation suddenly presents itself. 2. The old habit of sin recurs — recurs, indeed, sevenfold, but still the same sin. III. ALL SIN IN A BELIEVER MUST ARISE FROM A REDUCTION OF GRACE. This is the result of grieving the Holy Ghost by a careless omission of prayer or other means of grace. There was an inward defeat before there was an outward and apparent one. IV. DEFEAT IS NOT FINAL. It is not the end of the campaign; it is but one event in the war. It may even be converted into a positive good to the soul, for God can and will overrule guilt to gain; he allows each defeat to teach us repentance and humility. (J. Vaughan, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: And as he passed over Penuel the sun rose upon him, and he halted upon his thigh.WEB: The sun rose on him as he passed over Peniel, and he limped because of his thigh. |
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