Year of the Bible : Week 4
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 humans and have overcome.” Genesis 32:24-28 ESV
In Genesis chapter 32, God appears in human flesh and wrestles with Jacob as he is alone one evening. Jacob was caught in a moment of desperation as he was about to encounter his brother Esau for the first time since running in fear for his life after stealing the first-born blessing from Esau, his older brother.
Wrestling until the break of day, Jacob desperately longed for God’s blessing. In the process, God touched the socket of Jacob’s hip, leaving him changed as a result of their encounter.
It was in his moment of desperation, that Jacob found life change that only God could provide him.
Have you ever wrestled with God to the point that you were mentally exhausted, you felt like you couldn’t go on any further? You didn’t have any fight left in you, but you weren’t willing to let go. All you could do was hold on with clenched fists and cling to Him? It was in his moment of desperation, that Jacob found life change that only God could provide him.
Jacob walked away from his wrestling match with a limp in his step and a new name, Israel, “He strives with God”.
When we wrestle with God, we have no choice but to leave changed, having spent time in His presence. He marks us, sets us apart, washes us clean, puts purpose in our hearts, and blessing on our lives that only can come from Him.
In Christ, we also receive a new name, a new identity.
“Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come” 1 Corinthians 5:17 ESV
It is oftentimes in those “lowest moments”, those times of desperation, that we learn the most. If you find yourself there today, keep clinging onto the One that knows you and has given you life. In Him, you too can leave changed, with a new identity and mark on your life.