Another Blessing

Genesis 32:26 “Then he said, “Let me go, for the day has broken.” But Jacob said, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.””

Introduction

Brian Miller describes in a 2018 article about the power of being imprisoned in the realm of the mind. His article is entitled “Trapped in an unlocked room.”

He says, “I recently met up with a friend in a speaking business class to chat about our world views, and he noted that simply shifting your mindset is enough to affect real change.

In other words, the key to unlocking our potential and succeeding in our personal and professional lives is gaining new perspectives.

It reminded me of this quote (paraphrased) from the great 20th century philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein:

"A man will be trapped inside of a room that has only one door which is unlocked and opens outwards, if it never occurs to him to push the door open instead of pulling the door open."

Our minds are like Wittgenstein's unlocked room, and our own limited perspectives will keep us trapped inside of it forever, IF it never occurs to us to push instead of pull.”

Some, in life, may find themselves “trapped in an unlocked room”—not because the door wouldn’t open, but because we keep pulling when we needed to push.

Many of us are like that. We are imprisoned not by chains, but by perspectives. We believe wrongly, so we live wrongly. We are held hostage by memories of past trauma, past failure, and generational bondage.

But like Wittgenstein said:

"A man will be trapped inside a room with an unlocked door if it never occurs to him to push instead of pull."

So today, I came to tell somebody—it’s time to push.

Push past what you thought you were. Push past what they said about you. Push past who you used to be. Push into your identity in Christ.

You see, what Brian Miller describes—that sense of being trapped in a room with an unlocked door—is not just a clever metaphor. It’s a spiritual reality. So many of us are trapped not by what’s around us, but by what’s within us.

The door isn’t locked—but our thinking is.

And that’s exactly where Jacob finds himself in Genesis 32.

He’s not just facing his past—he’s facing the weight of his identity… the man he’s been, the choices he’s made, the consequences he’s carried. He’s about to meet Esau, the brother he deceived. And in this moment of fear and uncertainty, God doesn’t send an army, a prophet, or a sign—He sends a wrestling match.

Because before Jacob can cross into his next season, he’s got to confront something deeper: The fight within, the fight with God, and the fight for purpose.

Jacob’s story shows us that breakthrough doesn’t happen by bypassing the struggle—it happens in the middle of it.

And that’s where I want to take you today—into the wrestle.

Wrestling in the Flesh (The Battle Within)

"And Jacob was left alone. And a man wrestled with him until the breaking of the day." (v.24)

Before God can change your situation, He often starts by changing you. Jacob was not just wrestling with a man—he was wrestling with his own history, his own reputation, and his own identity.

Jacob’s name meant “supplanter, deceiver, trickster.”

His whole life was about striving—fighting for position, manipulating for blessing.

But this moment was different. He wasn’t wrestling Esau. He wasn’t tricking his father. He was alone… wrestling himself and God.

What adds insult to injury is that Jacob is not in this place because he was passionate about going home, but he was finally passionate about submitting to God’s process

What happens when you find yourself in a problem with your pursuit of purpose

What happens if you’re in trouble in your pursuit of purpose, because God placed you in the problem to begin with

The conundrums in our lives seemingly challenge us in critical areas and mostly are communicated two words

GOD SAID

told Jacob to leave Laban and to come home

What happens when My promise looks more like a problem, what do I do?

Point 1: Isolation Before Elevation

“And Jacob was left alone…” (v. 24)

Sometimes God will isolate you to prepare you.

Separates from what’s comfortable

Separates from what’s preferred

Separates from what looks best

Before the blessing comes, God will strip distractions and force reflection.

For Jacob this means sending his family away to get into a place of isolation

What do you need to separate from to see what God is saying?

Spiritual solitude often precedes spiritual shift.

God does His deepest work when we are alone with Him.

We too must wrestle with the enemy in us—the "inner me." Your flesh wants to stay comfortable, but your calling requires confrontation.

Point 2: Brokenness Brings Breakthrough

“He touched the hollow of Jacob’s thigh…” (v. 25)

God wounded Jacob to awaken him—some blessings are birthed through pain.

The limp was a reminder that he’d been changed by the encounter.

The same place you experience pain, is the same place you’ll experience a pivot to purpose

Brokenness is not the end; it’s the beginning of transformation.

Sometimes, God breaks us to bless us.

And yes, wrestling hurts. Jacob was wounded—his hip dislocated—but he didn’t let go.

Don’t stop fighting when you’re wounded. You stop fighting when you win.

Wrestling with God (Battle for Identity)

Genesis 32:27-28 “What is your name?” (vv.27-28)

WHO ARE YOU?!

This was not just a physical match—it was a spiritual reckoning.

Wrestling with God reveals who you really are.

Jacob didn’t get a new name until he got real with God.

He had to confess: “I’m Jacob. I’m the one who lied. I’m the one who ran. I’m the one who messed up.” But in confessing who he was, God declared who he was becoming—Israel—one who wrestles with God and prevails.

Identity is not given in comfort; it’s revealed in confrontation.

This is where grace meets us:

Saving grace—You don’t get good to get God, you get God to get good.

Justifying grace—Just as if I’d never sinned.

Teaching grace—Grace that corrects and trains.

Enabling grace—Power to do what you couldn’t do before.

Grace is God’s perfect promise for imperfect people. And it’s in the wrestling match where God changes your name and destiny.

Wrestling for Purpose (Battle for the Blessing)

“I will not let you go unless you bless me.” (v.26)

Jacob wasn't just fighting for survival—he was fighting for significance.

Point 3: From Struggle to Surrender Genesis 32:26

“I will not let you go unless you bless me…” (v. 26)

Jacob stopped fighting for control and started holding on in surrender.

The fight wasn’t about winning—it was about letting go and trusting God.

Surrender is the key that unlocks divine favor.

When we stop striving and start surrendering, grace takes over

The wrestle is the pivot. It shifts you from your past into your purpose.

Wrestling produces desperation, and desperation produces dependence.

When you wrestle with God, it’s not to defeat Him—it’s to be transformed by Him.

This is the type of faith that clings to God even when wounded, even when uncertain, even when weary.

Like the eagle that forgets who it is in the moping place—sometimes all it needs is another eagle to fly nearby and remind it: Look up. You were created to soar, not to settle

So hold on. Keep fighting. Don’t let go.

You’re not just wrestling for relief—you’re wrestling for revelation.

You're wrestling for the blessing,

and that blessing is a new walk,

a new name, and

a new future.

Close

Jacob's transformation wasn’t complete at the river—it pointed forward to something greater.

His battle foreshadowed another man who would wrestle with flesh and blood.

Another man who would walk into His midnight in a garden.

Another man who would be wounded but would not quit—Jesus Christ.

And through His suffering, we find our identity, our freedom, and our grace.

Call to Faith:

If you’ve been wrestling in your mind, in your past, or in your pain—this is your moment. You may feel like you’re in a prison, but I came to tell you:

The door is unlocked. You just need to push… in faith… toward Jesus Christ.

Let Him change your name. Let Him transform your walk. Let Him bless your life.