“…and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day. And he said ‘Let me go, for the day breaketh’. And he said ‘I will not let thee go, except thou bless me’.” (Genesis 32:24-26) kjv

 

Jacob’s name means “deceiver”. He lived true to his name up to this point in his life. He stole, deceived, manipulated people to get what he wanted in life. Now, the treachery of his past has caught up with him. His brother has arrived with 400 men to kill Jacob for ‘stealing’ his blessing from their father Isaac.

 

He sent gifts, but gifts and money alone wouldn’t be enough to get him out of this ‘life and death’ predicament. He needed divine intervention. He needed an encounter with God. He found an isolated place to pray, and pray he did! This wasn’t a devotional prayer, this was a desperate prayer. If he were ever to see his family again and to live another day, he needed to get God’s attention.

 

As he prayed, and angel appeared and wrestled with him ’til daylight. Jacob was ‘holding his own’ until the angel broke Jacob’s thigh. God had Jacob where he wanted him all along, clinging dependently on him. Although Jacob was now at a disadvantage, he would not let go. The angel even said “Let me go!’

 

When many of us grow weary of prayer, or, of our service to the Lord… When many of us hang around the altar making a ‘good show’… Jacob said “I won’t let you go until you bless me!” What passion, what tenacity! His reward? God changed him from the inside out. He changed his name from Jacob (deceiver) to Israel (friend of God). As a result of this encounter, his situation changed. Esau embraced Jacob and made peace.

 

If you need your situation changed, pray like you’ve never prayed before and say “I will not let you go (give up) until I receive my answer”. God loves and responds to this kind of prayer. Don’t wait another day. Have an encounter with God today!