15 January | EVERYONE
"And He said, ‘Let Me go, for the day breaks.’ But he said, ‘I will not let You go unless You bless me!’ So He said to him, ‘What is your name?’ He said, ‘Jacob.’ And He said, ‘Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel; for you have struggled with God and with men, and have prevailed.’" Genesis 32: 26-28
Twenty years had passed since Jacob had fled to Paddan-aram to save his life. Two decades of pain and exploitation. After deceiving his father, he was deceived by his father-in-law. Everything that man sows he reaps later.
Despite the injustices he caused and suffered, divine blessings accompanied him. He came back rich, with his wives, children, employees, and cattle. He had yet to be reconciled with Esau, his brother. The past cannot be fixed just by asking God for forgiveness. Human debts need to be settled, but Jacob had fled, thinking that time would erase his mistakes. Time passed, and despite his apparent prosperity, guilt continued to gnaw at him.
One day, he and his men came to the banks of the Jabbok River. He led his people across the river and was left alone. Then the angel of the Lord appeared and fought against Jacob all night. Twenty years trying to convince him that it was necessary to repent, and nothing. Then the angel touched his thigh, and in his pain, Jacob pleaded, "I will not let you go unless you bless me." Hadn't he received the blessing when he deceived his father? Yes, but a blessing with deceit is a curse.
The angel asked him the same question that Isaac had asked him two decades earlier, "What is your name?" This time he did not say “Esau.” He recognized that it was Jacob, the deceiver, the liar, and the dishonest one. But the confession had scarcely left his mouth when the answer came, "Your name shall no longer be Jacob. Now you will be called Israel."
That can be your experience today!
Take Action
"Wrestle" with God, but not to convince Him to love you, for He is love. "Wrestle" with Him today to stay by His side. And so that, upon meeting Him, you will be restored to His image, overcoming pride or any weakness of character. Like Jacob, do not let go of the Lord. Sing "I Will Not Let You Go" (if possible, with your family).