The blessings we seek continually,

Never wavering to let them in.

Welcomed beyond all measure,

For their measure we don’t comprehend.

Jacob knew the power of a blessing,

And this one he would not steal.

But wrestled all night with an angel,

Not letting go till his blessing revealed.

His perseverance caused instability,

For his stride was never the same.

He bore the cost of this blessing,

He had fought so hard to claim.

Forever changed by the encounter,

The days ahead of him made new.

Faith had renewed his courage,

God’s promises always remain true.

Jacob was not alone in his failures,

God still had him in His hands.

There was a place to serve with blessing,

And the blessing was worth the stand.

Wendi Maddox

Author’s Look~

We can read about this event in the book of Genesis, and be reminded that the blessings we ask for, are going to come with a cost.

Genesis 32: 24-26 (KJV). . . 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.

A New Time

Jacob had already had an experience in life, of stealing a blessing from his twin brother Esau; for he needed it to go with the birthright he had traded away from him as well. He knew the power of a blessing, and he was seeking that now in his life for the new direction that he was going with his family.

I have no idea how this wrestling match began, but as he engaged, Jacob recognized that this was no ordinary man, and that he had the power to give him a blessing.

He fought hard for it all night long and never gave up. Jacob grabbed ahold and wouldn’t let go, even when his hip joint was injured. Dawn was approaching and the man wanted to go, but Jacob would not until he blessed him. In seeking to receive his blessing, but walked away with a limp, for he bore the mark of his blessing. It was a reminder to him of a transformational moment in time with every step that he took. What looked like a handicap was the encouraging reminder of a heavenly encounter which brought the blessing he was seeking.

Jacob knew God’s promises to Abraham and Isaac his father, and this encounter reinstated that God was still with him in spite of his missteps, distractions and failures. Now was a new beginning on this journey to Canaan, and God would continue His promise to bless his bloodline.

A New Name

Jacob came away from that wrestling match with more than just a limp, but also a new name.

Genesis 32:27-28 (KJV). . . And he said unto him, What is thy name? And he said, Jacob. (29) 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.

God saw the sincerity of Jacob’s heart and that is all He is looking for in us. It is not perfection He seeks, but dedication, persistence, and willingness to go forward in spite of mistakes. He knew the potential in Jacob and named him for it. Israel was now his name.

A New Dawn

There was a notable difference when Jacob walked back into camp that next day. He was limping, had to be extremely fatigued with no sleep; while exerting energy for so long, and had an announcement of a new name. It had been a busy night! He had fought for a blessing and won. While the blessing had marked him, he had fresh confidence to go forward with his future.

Count the cost, and be prepared to bear the cost of the blessings you seek, knowing God’s blessing will far outweigh anything that you could possible give up. Embrace it and let it empower you to go forth for all He has for you! Whatever you had to give up is worth it, for what you have gained. . . a Blessing.

A Blessing’s Value Outweighs the Cost!