Steve Gaines

Jacob was in trouble. His angry brother Esau, whom he had defrauded 20 years earlier, was coming toward him with an army of 400 men to kill him. In fear Jacob sent his family across the Jabbok River. That night he wrestled until daybreak with a Man whom he later realized was God (Genesis 32:28, 30). The wrestling match changed Jacob’s life. What happens when we wrestle with God?

God breaks us. Jacob struggled for quite some time until the Man touched and dislocated the socket of his thigh. He “broke” Jacob. God must also break us before He can use us. He must empty us of all our self-reliance. His best vessels are broken ones.

God bridles us. The Man then made Jacob tell Him his name. That was the equivalent of making him say, “Uncle!” All his life Jacob had advanced by being a deceiver and a manipulator. Now he had met more than his match. He surrendered and let God take control. We must do the same. God must bridle us before He can use us.

God blesses us. The Man then changed Jacob’s name to Israel, which means, “He struggles with God.” Jacob wrestled with God, God won, and Jacob was blessed. From then on, Jacob walked with a limp, but every step reminded him of God’s goodness. When Esau arrived, the brothers fell into each other’s arms, wept, and forgave each other.

God turned Jacob’s problem into a blessing. Likewise, He allows us to “wrestle” with Him so that He can break, bridle, and bless us. The pathway to blessedness is brokenness. Has God broken you? If not, go ahead—wrestle with Him. Surrender quickly! Allow Him to break, bridle, and bless you. You will cherish your limp forever.