So Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him till daybreak. When the man saw that he could not overpower him, he touch the socket of Jacob‘s hip so that his hip was wrenched as he wrestled with the man. Then the man said, “let me go, for it is daybreak.” But Jacob replied, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” The man asked him, “what is your name?” “Jacob,” he answered. Then the man said, “your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with humans and have overcome.”
Genesis 32:24-28
In every trial we have, there is an opportunity to see God and be changed forever.
Jacob and his family are finally free to go back to the land of Canaan, his homeland, and the place where God had called him to live. But on his way there, Jacob is met by 3 trials. First was his father-in-law, Laban, who threatened to harm him for taking his daughters, grandchildren, and household gods. However, the true God, having the ability to stop anything, tells Laban not to harm Jacob, for Jacob was chosen. Next, Jacob is met by fear. Fear of his brother Esau, who wanted to kill him before he left for the home of Laban. But God gave Jacob wisdom in how to approach Esau with humility and respect. If having men coming for your life from 2 different directions isn’t enough, his third trial was God himself.
Jacob finds himself a little space and time to be alone on this journey when God appears and begins to wrestle with him. All night Jacob and God wrestle, and when God realizes that Jacob is unwilling to give up, God displaces Jacob’s hip forcing him to stop. Yet as the man of God gets up to leave as the sun is beginning to rise, Jacob continues to hold on tight to him. Jacob knew this was God and refused to let go until he was blessed. Jacob could see the light and God honored his request by not only blessing him for his determination but also confirming his call by transforming Jacob into Israel.
Jacob conquered this trial and came through as faithful.
We all have trials and none of them are exactly the same. But whatever the trial is, if we keep focused on God or if the trial turns us to see God we will come out transformed. For every trial we face with God will make us stronger, filled with knowledge, and more like Jesus. All of this transformation is due to our perseverance in the storm.
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
James 1:2-4
Trials? I’ve had plenty. Transformation? If only you knew me back when. Am I complete? Absolutely not. So what does that mean? My trials and testing aren’t over and my transformation will not be complete this side of heaven.
There will be trials of many kinds and our job is to persevere. However, I promise, we can only persevere if we have God and count him as faithful and sovereign. If we do not have him, we will constantly be lost, or if we don’t see him as faithful and sovereign, we will grow bitter in every trial. But if we hold onto him, we will be found faithful as well and be blessed with a transformation into a likeness that is closer and closer to the likeness of Jesus.
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