When God purposes to bless sinful, self-confident, and ambitious people, he wrestles against their self-willed power until he irrevocably breaks their mortal strength. Suddenly, they find that the blessing they sought is already before their face: a living, vital connection to Jehovah himself. They tenaciously cling to their God, trusting that the omnipotent hand that broke them is also the loving hand that will bless them. The struggle was never to obtain the blessing; the struggle was a God-initiated process to give his people the spiritual power to take hold of the blessing they always had. The struggle itself is the Blessing incarnate.
So, you, by the help of your God, return, hold fast to love and justice, and wait continually for your God. (Hosea 12:6)
