Jacob Wrestling With The Angel

I hope that in me there is a little bit of you
I hope that one day my hands become your hands,
And my lips only speak of truth

I hope I can forget the times I’ve lied
And cursed the world with your name
I hope I’ll forget the death, the crying, and the shame

When I stand before you that day, the angels all around
I hope my life has become yours
And I won’t want to feel the ground

I hope that I meet my angel
And understand why it doesn’t have a name
When others raise their fists in the air
I hope I’m last to cast the blame

I want to have your healing touch
And I want to have your face
I want to know why you love me so much
And understand the workings of your grace

I want to know why you found me that night
A sinner without a face
And turned me into a miracle of life
My darkness gone without a trace

I hope I’ll taste your mercy
When life deals a losing hand
I hope it makes me stronger
And brings me closer to your land

Most of all I want to know you
And why you died for me
Until then I’ll be searching
And hoping that day I’ll see

You upon your mighty throne,
Looking down on me
And say “Welcome home my son,
Your soul is finally free"

-C.M.H. '05

22 That night Jacob got up and took his two wives, his two maidservants and his eleven sons and crossed the ford of the Jabbok. 23 After he had sent them across the stream, he sent over all his possessions. 24 So Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him till daybreak. 25 When the man saw that he could not overpower him, he touched the socket of Jacob's hip so that his hip was wrenched as he wrestled with the man. 26 Then the man said, "Let me go, for it is daybreak." But Jacob replied, "I will not let you go unless you bless me."
27 The man asked him, "What is your name?" "Jacob," he answered.
28 Then the man said, "Your name will no longer be Jacob, but *Israel, because you have struggled with God and with men and have overcome."
29 Jacob said, "Please tell me your name." But he replied, "Why do you ask my name?" Then he blessed him there.
30 So Jacob called the place *Peniel, saying, "It is because I saw God face to face, and yet my life was spared."

- Genesis 32:22-30

*Israel means he struggles with God
*Peniel means face of God