Genesis 32:24-31 Then Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him until daybreak. When he saw that he had not prevailed against him, he touched the socket of his thigh; so the socket of Jacob’s thigh was dislocated while he wrestled with him. Then he said, “Let me go, for the dawn is breaking.” But he said, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” So he said to him, “What is your name?” And he said, “Jacob.” He said, “Your name shall no longer be Jacob, but Israel; for you have striven with God and with men and have prevailed.” Then Jacob asked him and said, “Please tell me your name.” But he said, “Why is it that you ask my name?” And he blessed him there. So Jacob named the place Peniel, for he said, “I have seen God face to face, yet my life has been preserved.” Now the sun rose upon him just as he crossed over Penuel, and he was limping on his thigh.
In a way, I wrestled with God and I didn't stop until He blessed me. My prayer life changed. No longer do I demand from the Lord. But I humbly come before Him in desperation. The Bible says in Jeremiah 17:10 "I the LORD search the heart and examine the mind, to reward each person according to their conduct, according to what their deeds deserve." I remember late at night pleading with the Lord and telling I that I would not misuse the blessing if He granted it to me. So after about 3 or 4 years, the Lord blessed me. I could see the dawn coming. For some reason I just knew that this year would be different. Last few years, although the Lord was there, they were tough. There was a lot of changes in my life.
I received word in the mail about this event for Veterans called the Arizona Veterans Stand Down. It started out as an event for homeless veterans in town who needed help with finding place to live, legal issues, getting help from the Veterans Affairs department. It was later opened up for all veterans. I was not going to go to this event. It was about 30 miles away from my house and I figured that homeless veterans need the help more than I do. Later, I was put in contact with the Veterans court and I spoke to one of their representatives. They had suggested to me to go to the Stand Down and see if they would help me out. I was willing to give it a shot, so I went not knowing if I would get any help or not. So I got all registered and I was escorted by a nice old man named Denny. Before I went to see the judge, I shared my testimony with Denny. I told Denny that God is real and if He could take me, a wretched man, and do such miraculous things, God could do them for him too.
So went at the allotted time to see the judge and my file had not arrived. I waited 15 minutes and came back. My file still had not arrived. So I went and got some food and then went and got a hair cut and a beard trim for free. Before seeing the judge I prayed one more time. I was asking God to show me mercy and grace. I knew that I did not deserve it. God didn't have to do anything. I asked the Lord to either have the fines reduced or completely wiped out. My file finally arrived and soon after I sat with a judge and I was told that the fines would be wiped out and the charges dropped if I came back the next day and did 6 hours of community service. I could not believe it. I asked if i this was for both tickets or just one, because I would have done 12 hours just so that I didn't have to pay these fines. But I was told that all I had to do was 6 hours and that was it. It took a little bit to sink in but I was filled with joy and later tears of gratitude. I called my wife when I was leaving and I told her the good news. I broke down in tears as I was telling her because I had been praying for so long. There were times I thought God was not listening to me and that maybe this was punishment for my past actions. I was so wrong. Next day I showed up for community service. I helped take down chairs, tables and the stands the vendors used. The group I was with was other veterans I we knocked it out real fast. We got done early and we were still awarded 6 hours of community service. Praise the Lord!
I don't know who this is for but I want to encourage everyone to keep praying. Have faith that God is listening. God did show me He was listening even before this transpired. But that had increased my faith and I kept praying for this blessing. It did not happen when I wanted but it came at the right time. God is never late nor is He ever in a hurry. Go dis for us because He is for Himself. Him blessing Him has brought and will bring glory to Him. It was not by my power or my might, but by His spirit that I was blessed the way I did. I lost my job in December and God has been taking care of me. All the bills are paid, we have food in our stomachs, and clothes on our backs. I really believe that this year is a year where things in my life will be restored. I started school again. I am going to get my Bachelors degree in biblical studies at Grand Canyon University. I aspire to become a Pastor or a Chaplain at a prison. I am also starting to see a counselor to help me deal with post traumatic stress disorder.
I have attached the YouTube video when after I got out of the Veteran Stand Down.
