MEMORISE: 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
BIBLE READING: Genesis 32:22-32
22 And he rose up that night, and took his two wives, and his two womenservants, and his eleven sons, and passed over the ford Jabbok.
23 And he took them, and sent them over the brook, and sent over that he had.
24 And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day.
25 And when he saw that he prevailed not against him, he touched the hollow of his thigh; and the hollow of Jacob’s thigh was out of joint, as he wrestled with him.
26 And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me.
27 And he said unto him, What is thy name? And he said, Jacob.
28 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.
29 And Jacob asked him, and said, Tell me, I pray thee, thy name. And he said, Wherefore is it that thou dost ask after my name? And he blessed him there.
30 And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.
31 And as he passed over Penuel the sun rose upon him, and he halted upon his thigh.
32 Therefore the children of Israel eat not of the sinew which shrank, which is upon the hollow of the thigh, unto this day: because he touched the hollow of Jacob’s thigh in the sinew that shrank.
MESSAGE:
In my understanding of the Scriptures, I know that it is not possible to overpower an angel, let alone wrestle with him and win; however, Jacob wrestled with an angel and emerged with a new name and a transformed identity. His midnight wrestling experience symbolises our struggles and the power of persistent prayer.
The story in today’s Bible reading shows that prayer is not always easy. Sometimes, we must wrestle with God in the depths of our souls to confront our doubts, fears, and insecurities. In fact, Jacob clung to this angel and refused to let go until he received a blessing. Likewise, you must persevere in prayer until God gives you an answer.
My dear child, when life throws challenges and uncertainties at you, your family, or your academics, do not be afraid to wrestle with God in prayer because, in the end, you will emerge stronger, wiser, and blessed beyond measure.
Action Point
Keep wrestling with God in prayer until He blesses you.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Isaiah 8:1-9:21, 2 Corinthians 12:1-10