Contend for your blessing!
“And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast though power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.” (Genesis 32:28) KJV
This is the account of Jacob returning home after his prolonged stay with his uncle Laban. Jacob was preparing to meet his brother Esau and hoping to appease him of his anger. Jacob had deceived his father and stolen the blessing that was meant for Esau and his mother advised him to flee the wrath of his brother by going to his uncle Laban’s place. Jacob presented gifts to his brother and sent the gifts ahead of him with his servants while he stayed behind that night. In the course of the night Jacob wrestled with the Angel of the Lord until it was daybreak. Jacob contended with him and insisted that he would not let go until the he blessed him. The Angel of the Lord responded with a question, he asked Jacob what his name was and Jacob told him then the Angel of the Lord changed his name and told him that he would no longer be called Jacob(supplanter), one who deceives but he would be called Israel (contender) with God because he had wrestled with God and with men and prevailed. He then declared a blessing upon Jacob whose name became Israel.
You have to contend for your blessing, contend for your breakthrough. When you stand your ground and fight for your breakthrough, your identity changes, your situation changes. If you were called barren, contend for your blessing and the change of your identity to mother of nations, if you are identified with poverty, contend for your breakthrough, if you are known as the worthless prostitute, contend for your breakthrough and break your alabaster jar to wash the feet of Jesus and change the course of your life(Matthew 26:7). The woman with the issue of blood pressed through the crowd and yet she could have been killed for being out and about in that state (Luke 8:43), blind Bartimaeus called out louder and louder for Jesus’ attention even when the people around him told him to be quiet (Mark 10:46). The resilience and persistence coupled with faith is what brought a turn around and a change in the situations that all these people were facing. Jacob held on to the Angel of the Lord and said, “I will not let go until you bless me”.
I encourage you to contend for your blessing, contend for your breakthrough and do not give up, cave in, or quit. Do not allow the wasters and suckers of your destiny to steal your joy and allow discouragement to take root and overtake you. You have the victory, but you have to fight. The Israelites knew that God had given them the promised land, but they had to fight to possess it.
Scripture to meditate on: “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9) NIV
Have a blessed week!
Pastor Adonis Khupe-Ayema
