In the book of Genesis chapter 32 one of the most unusual encounters ever recorded in scripture takes place. Jacob who has experienced many things in his life, from being called a deciever and tricking his brother, to having a vision of God's angels at Bethel, has a moment where he wrestles with God Himself.    This wrestling match takes place the day before Jacob goes to meethis brother Esau who he has decieved out of blessing and birthright.  One can only imagine what was going through Jacobs mind.  Would Esau hate him, or even kill him the next morning?  No doubt that Jacobs only concern that night was making it through the next day. But God had other things in mind in the midst of Jacob's struggle, God wanted to change something in Jacob, his name and his relationship with God.  That evening Jacob wrestles with God in the form of a man.  God says to Jacob "Your name will no longer be Jacob, (supplanter or one who grasps) but Israel one who struggles with God, because you have struggled with God and with men and have overcome."

What a statement and what a transformation.  God was changing Jacob;'s name and God was doing a new thing in him by calling him Israel.  But that was not all that occured that evening, before the night was over God touched Jacob's hip and forever changed Jacob's walk.   From that day on he walked with a new name and a limp. The name was given to remind him of a divine wrestling match and the limp was given so that Jacob, now Israel and those who he encountered would never forget.

There are times in our lives that the cares and concerns that we carry can overwhelm us.  But it is often at those times that the Lord will get our attention and desire to change us into what He longs for us to be.  He will give us a new name and a new character as well as a new walk.  One that is dependant on God alone and one in which we never forget for a moment that God is the one who has seen us through each of our trials and each of our failures.  Walking with a limp spiritually is not a bad thing, in fact it is something to be desired.  What have you been wrestling with God about?  What is He attempting to do in your life that will leave you walking with a limp, but walking in total and complete dependance on Him?  As we come to the end of the summer and thank the Lord for His protection and mercy, we also pray Lord change us! Move in us and speak to us at the point of what you say we need most. Jacob did not need favor before meeting with Esau the next day, he needed favor with God, that could only come about through struggle and blessing.  This week let's make a determination to be open before God and allow Him to change our name our character and now be ashamed to show Him and all others that we walk with a limp, so that only His glory and grace will be seen.