*ZION'S TRAVAIL.*(Series 7) *Scripture Reading:* Genesis 32:24-26 *"So Jacob was left alone, and a Man [came and] wrestled with him until daybreak. When the Man saw that He had not prevailed against Jacob, He touched his hip joint; and Jacob’s hip was dislocated as he wrestled with Him. Then He said, “Let Me go, for day is breaking.” But Jacob said, “I will not let You go unless You declare a blessing on me.”*(AMP) *3) Pain is not always your enemy:* Most believers refers to their seasons of pains as the work of the enemy. There are some moments of pain in our lives that only God is accountable for it. And in such a time as that, we're to strengthen ourselves in God's word. No triers is permitted without God's knowledge and that's why James encourage us to count it all joy. *"Consider it nothing but joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you fall into various trials. Be assured that the testing of your faith [through experience] produces endurance [leading to spiritual maturity, and inner peace]. And let endurance have its perfect result and do a thorough work, so that you may be perfect and completely developed."*(James 1:2-4 AMP) NOTE: : It's painful to be confronted with our sin. : It's painful to humble ourselves before God. : It's painful to go through time of difficulties. : It's painful to see your peer progress when you remain stagnate. : In our scripture today, Jacob broke his hip in the travailing period, but the encounter changes him forever. Verse 28 of our scripture says; *"And He said, “Your name shall no longer be Jacob, but Israel; for you have struggled with God and with men and have prevailed.”*(AMP) Jacob didn't focus on the pain rather rejoice in the gain. Always be aware that, the greater the pain, the greater the gain. *3) Perseverance in prayers yields profits:* The poor widow before the unjust judge, got her prayer answered. Luke 18:3-5; *"There was a [desperate] widow in that city and she kept coming to him and saying, ‘Give me justice and legal protection from my adversary.’ For a time he would not; but later he said to himself, ‘Even though I do not fear God nor respect man, yet because this widow continues to bother me, I will give her justice and legal protection; otherwise by continually coming she [will be an intolerable annoyance and she] will wear me out."*(AMP) When we suffer, we have the opportunity to grow in our endurance. Consistent endurance leads to the establishment of what we all want but few have it. *Our perseverance always produces great results. Even the unjust judge concluded to give the widow her justice when he noticed her perseverance.* To be continue tomorrow morning by God's Grace. Good morning and do have a great day, peace. *Prayer point:* Holy Spirit, grant me the grace to stand the test of time in the season of travailing in Jesus Christ name. Amen! T.S. AFOLAYAN