“Bless Me.”

The same night he got up and took his two wives, his two maids, and his eleven children, and crossed the ford of the Jabbok. He took them and sent them across the stream and likewise everything that he had. Jacob was left alone; and a man wrestled with him until daybreak. When the man saw that he did not prevail against Jacob, he struck him on the hip socket; and Jacob’s hip was put out of joint as he wrestled with him. Then he said, “Let me go, for the day is breaking.” But Jacob said, “I will not let you go, unless you bless me.” So he said to him, “What is your name?” And he said, “Jacob.” Then the man said, “You shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with humans, and have prevailed.” Then Jacob asked him, “Please tell me your name.” But he said, “Why is it that you ask my name?” And there he blessed him. So Jacob called the place Peniel, saying, “For I have seen God face to face, and yet my life is preserved.” The sun rose upon him as he passed Penuel, limping because of his hip. Therefore to this day the Israelites do not eat the thigh muscle that is on the hip socket, because he struck Jacob on the hip socket at the thigh muscle.

Genesis 32:22-30

Jacob had defrauded his older twin Esau, who swore to kill him. Then, before the estranged brother would face each other after twenty years, Jacob wrestled with God. When asked his name, the conniving younger brother finally admitted he was Jacob, which means deceiver. That marked a spiritual turning point.

Because God does not give up on us, we should not give up on ourselves. Wait on God! See what His strong hands will fashion out of your weakness.

When we have turned back, God can turn us around. When we have destroyed our lives, God can rebuild them.

There is victory in surrender when we are conquered by Christ.

Our Daily Bread – May 18, 2008