Lessons in Falling Backward and Being Broken - Genesis 32:24-32

And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day.

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.

And He said, Let me go, for the day breaketh.
And he said, I will not let Thee go, except Thou bless me.
And He said unto him, What is thy name?
And he said, Jacob.
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.
And Jacob asked Him, and said, Tell me, I pray Thee, Thy name.
And He said, Wherefore is it that thou dost ask after My name?
And He blessed him there.
And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel : for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.
And as he passed over Penuel the sun rose upon him, and he halted upon his thigh.
Therefore the children of Israel eat not of the sinew which shrank, which is upon the hollow of the thigh, unto this day: because he touched the hollow of Jacob's thigh in the sinew that shrank.

God changes who we are as we're steadfast in our wrestlings with Him. Often it seems as though we're alone in the wilderness. God seems absent as we fret and wrestle in the darkness of our adversities. Such things may happen to us that cause us to limp and struggle the remaining days of our lives. But God told Jacob that his power to prevail in such battles earned him a new name; a new persona. He became someone else--mighty, chosen, perfected in his weakness.

It may not seem like it when we are in the midst of our wrestlings with God, but we are gifted great blessings as we perservere in our struggles with Him. Truly my experiences have debilitated me in this life, but I am destined for Victory in the next. Bruise me gently, Lord Jesus...