And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day. —GENESIS 32:24
The name Jacob means “deceiver, supplanter, liar, or thief.” All his life Jacob had lived up to his name. When conflict arose from his deceitful actions against his brother, he didn’t see any way out. In fear and desperation, he returned to Bethel. He climbed the mountain where he first made an altar to the Lord, and it was there that the angel of the Lord wrestled with him.
Jacob said to the angel, “It took too long to find you, I’m not letting you go!” In that struggle, Jacob was forever changed. God gave Jacob a new nature. He carried God’s mark, and He carried a new name—Israel.
When God takes hold of us, old things pass away, and all things become new in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17). He made all things new for Jacob, and He will do the same for you. Seek God with all your heart. Refuse to let go until you have been forever changed.
Jesus, change me. Make me a new creation by the power
of Your Spirit. Destroy the old and make me new. Amen.
Curt Landry 
Michael L. Brown 
Rabbi Eric Tokajer 
