24 So Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him till daybreak.25 When the man saw that he could not overpower him, he touched the socket of Jacob’s hip so that his hip was wrenched as he wrestled with the man. 26 Then the man said, “Let me go, for it is daybreak.” But Jacob replied, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” 27 The man asked him, “What is your name?” “Jacob,” he answered. 28 Then the man said, “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel,[a]because you have struggled with God and with humans and have overcome.” 29 Jacob said, “Please tell me your name.” But he replied, “Why do you ask my name?” Then he blessed him there. 30 So Jacob called the place Peniel,[b] saying, “It is because I saw God face to face, and yet my life was spared.” 31 The sun rose above him as he passed Peniel,[c] and he was limping because of his hip. Genesis 32:22-32
The Breaking Point
When does change happen? When does God come with that change in us and in our circumstance?
Notice when “The wrestle of change” in his life happened:
- It happened after Jacob asked God to intervene in his situation. He was at his breaking point. Although he did not expect God to come with His answer in this way but his better life began in the mysterious struggle. At your breaking point, DARE to pray for that change.
- It happened in the night where darkness made it difficult to see things clearly. Our response to those moments of change determines our destiny. How we respond in the darkness usually defines how much we see the light. At your breaking point, DARE to rely on God to lead the way in darkness.
- It happened when he was all alone and there were no distractions. At your breaking point, DARE to be alone to see God making the changes in your life.
- It happened when he let go of his attachments, family, belongings and possessions. At your breaking point, DARE to let go and gain that change.
- It happened when he was full of fear and there was no one to help. At your breaking point, DARE to trust the Lord instead of being afraid.
- It happened when he was restless and unsettled. At your breaking point, DARE to ask the Lord for his touch and peace.
Jacob needed to come to his breaking point of deciding once and for all who was going to be the authority in his life. In order for him to withstand the next level, change was inevitable. He had to change and if it was left up to him, you and me we will not change. We ask God to change the people around us, change the circumstances and change the issues but never us. We have to come to that breaking point to change.
God had no intentions to destroy Jacob’s personality or break his spirit. But God permitted Jacob to come to his breaking point to perform His changes even if that change bruises.
What is on the other side of the breaking point?