Jacob felt his life was filled with problems. He was exhausted from fighting Laban and now worn out thinking about having to confront Esau. But what Jacob didn’t realize was that the greatest battle being waged was the one in his heart. The ultimate issue was this: “Who will be in charge?”

I echo that question to myself and to you. Who is in charge of your day today? Who is in charge of your decision to marry that girl, or leave that job, or move to that house, or seek counsel from someone else, or fire that staff member? Who?

Jacob wanted God’s blessing but did not want God’s ownership of his life. He wanted God to “bail him out” in the hard times but he did not want to submit to God in the little and big stuff. He wanted the gain. Not the pain.

I think I have been very guilty, equally guilty, of the very same thing. And I spy with my little eye that you have too.

Jacobs problem was not his impending meeting with Esau or the lies of his past. His real problem was his surface-deep relationship with The Lord.

G.K. Chesterton once said, “Christianity has not been tried and found empty . . . it has been found difficult and left untried.”
How many members of your family or friendship circle could say that for themselves?

Chesterton read an article in the London Times that asked the question “What is Wrong With the World?” He was asked for his response. He got out a fancy sheet of paper and wrote, “I am. Sincerely, G.K. Chesterton.”

When people wrestle, they find out a lot about themselves; they find their breaking point. They find out that THEY might be the problem. They discover what overbalances them. They learn their weaknesses and hurts.

A six-minute wrestling match is enough for most people and puts their bodies in enough pain and strain to make anyone want a break or even quit.

Jacob showed his all-night desperation and God responded in kind. By the end of the night when God asks what his name is and Jacob tells Him, God tells him it is no longer Jacob, which means ‘manipulator’ but changes it to something totally transforming – “Israel” which means ‘God’s champion’.

That is who I want to be. I want to be like Jacob who held on to God with all he had left.
I dare you to say to God

“No- not until you bless me”

It’s a scary prospect.

But blessing is often painful to bear. And can make you walk with a limp. But at least it makes you walk.

Jacob, the ultimate manipulator was manipulated by God. That’s the BEST kind of manipulation I know.