Agony. Tears. Remorse. Regret. Loneliness. Fear. All plagued the man of God as he wrestled that night with his own thoughts. Had God forsaken him in this desperate need? Had God forgiven his sinful past? Would He deliver his servant? Hour after hour he pleaded, and cried, and cast his helpless soul on the only help he knew--his Savior. The answer came unexpectedly...
Suddenly he was grabbed by strong hands. Friend or foe, he could not know. He began to fight for life itself. Just as he met the end of his human strength, he was inflicted with the excruciating pain which brought the realization that he had o been wrestling with the greatest power in the universe. Fighting the only power that can save him! Now, instead of pleading for deliverance, he clings to the Lord, pleading for a blessing.
The response Jacob received is what motivated me to write this blog.
"And he said unto him, What is thy name? And he said, Jacob.". Genesis 32:27
Why would God ask a question like that? He knew Jacob's name! Jacob did not receive his name by accident; many events in his life reveal that he had indeed been a cheat and a deceiver. Jacob wanted a blessing, God revealed to him his greatest need, just like Nicodemus, Peter, and the woman at the well. All had to come to a realization of their true condition and desperate need of a transformation.
The blessing Jacob most needed came indeed..."And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel:for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed." Genesis 32:28
Every Christian will experience struggles such as Jacob's--times where we feel helpless and alone--times when it seems that the sins of our past will crush us--times when there seems to be no answer to our plea.
What is your name? What is my name? If we were named according to our character, what would our name be? Proud? Dishonest? Critical? Unloving? Impure? It's not a place we like to go....but that is where God begins.
I want to serve a God like that who will not only forgive my past, but will change my name... And give me the power to live up to it.
