Fight NightShembull

Have you ever taken someone on in a fight or a sport and, halfway through, realized you are no match? In competition, it can be easy to go up against someone much stronger and lose the battle. However, those who prevail against their stronger opposition are those who never give up. Persistence shows heart and how you care and will not let anything get between you and victory. In Genesis 32, Jacob was caught up in a wrestling match with quite the opponent: God.

After being separated from Esau for years, Jacob finds out one day that he is returning. Fearing that Esau will make good on his promise to kill him, Jacob sends gifts hoping to appease him before they reunite. (Gen 32:1-21) Jacob was alone and in a wrestling match with a mysterious man that night. This man was a formidable fighter, but he realized Jacob was not letting up. With one touch, the fighter set Jacob’s hip out of joint. At this point, Jacob argues he will not let go of the man until he is blessed.

The man asks him, “What is your name?” His name was Jacob. He was a deceiver, a cheater, and lived in constant struggle with men since birth, but the Lord had other plans for him. The Lord renamed him “Israel” and declared, “For you have striven with God and with men, and have prevailed.” (Gen 32:28 ESV) At this moment, Jacob finally understood the power of God’s blessing, and the Lord blessed him greatly because of his persistence.

Beyond the blessing, the Lord changed Jacob’s identity. The Lord sought out Jacob and said, “This is not how I see you.” The Lord’s grace covered his past mistakes and made him the father of Israel, a nation God would set apart.

Do not let your past discredit God’s plan for your life. The truth is, we are not worthy of being used by God, but He gives us a new name – a new identity. Because of His mercy and redemption, we get to throw away who we used to be and become new creations as children of God.