Then
the man said, “Your name won’t be only Jacob now, but Israel; because you
struggled with God and men and you held on for God’s blessing. (Genesis 32:28)
Jacob
was exceptionally clever. By his wits, his hard work, and his perseverance, he
had gained many of the marks of success. But, his history was also marked by
the way he had deceived and schemed to take from others – especially his
brother, Esau. Then, on the night before finally facing Esau again, he faced
not only that struggle, but also had reached the end of himself, where now he
sought God.
He
endured a long, exhausting night of struggle, but Jacob held on. He emerged
weakened, injured, and exhausted. And – he was changed. No longer just the sly,
crafty man who was afraid of those he had deceived, Israel become his new name
because he had wrestled with God. He endured the long night of struggle without
giving up. Having met God face-to-face, he was now ready to return to the place
where he would live out God’s plan for his life.
Recognize
today that this is the struggle each person must engage if they are to live in
God’s plan. From that honest, transparent, face-to-face battle with God comes
God’s transformation. With God’s transforming power comes a future. Have your
struggle to change today.
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