Turning Points: Wrestling With Change

 Turning Points

Introduction:

Good morning Eastern Shore Baptist Church. What a joy it is to be back here with you this morning. I want to thank Josh Raybon for preaching for me while I was away last week. I also want to thank all of you for praying for me. I got so many texts, so many little notes of encouragement. It really warmed my heart to feel all the love from my church family. 

We are in the second week of an 11 week series called “Turning Points”. This series is about those moments in life where God interrupts the lives of ordinary human beings and these encounters leave these normal individuals irrecoverably altered. In the first week I told you the story of Nala Ray. Ms. Ray was an adult media internet star. She was making hundreds of thousands of dollars a month. However, Nala Ray’s soul collided with Christ and the Gospel and her life was radically transformed. More than that, she was saved. Salvation came to her home. 

Think about some of the greatest turning points in the Bible. What about Moses? He was living as a simple, nearly anonymous, shepherd. Then Moses sees the light and feels the heat of God’s Spirit radiating from within the bush. Moses is given marching orders by “I AM THAT I AM”. Moses went from unknown shepherd to the leader of a mighty nation. Moses went from chasing stray lambs to toppling the earth’s mightiest nation. This morning I talked about the turning point that occurred with the prophet Nathan confronted King David about his sin with Bathsheba. I love the story of Andrew meeting Jesus. 

John 1:40-42 ESV

One of the two who heard John speak and followed Jesus was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. [41] He first found his own brother Simon and said to him, "We have found the Messiah" (which means Christ). [42] He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, "You are Simon the son of John. You shall be called Cephas" (which means Peter).

You see, Andrew was an early follower of John the Baptist. Rabbis and teachers would often personally select their followers. It is easy to believe that John the Baptist knew Andrew and that he gave him a select invitation to be his apprentice. Imagine the joy that Andrew must have felt. Pure exhilaration. It was the dream of every Jewish boy to be elected to Rabbinical school. Andrew had a front row seat to the fastest growing ministry in Judea. He was learning directly from one of the most popular teachers of the day. Still, when he engaged with Jesus, he left everything in a moment to be with Christ. Talk about a turning point. 

Well this morning we are examining a great “turning point” story. This morning we are going to read about the time when Jacob wrestled with God. You heard me correctly. Jacob, a man, wrestled with God. That brings me to the title of today’s message, “Wrestling with Change”. 

Today’s Message:

“Wrestling With Change”

Background and Context:

Let’s start by setting the stage for this incredible moment in Jacob’s life. Jacob was on the run—again. All his life, he had schemed and struggled to get ahead, from stealing his brother Esau’s blessing to manipulating his way into wealth. But now, Jacob was heading back home, knowing he had to face Esau, the brother he had wronged. Jacob wasn’t just wrestling with fear; he was wrestling with his past and the uncertainty of his future. That’s where we find him in Genesis 32, alone by the river at night, desperate and vulnerable.

And then, it happens. Jacob literally wrestles with God. Can you imagine? The God of the universe meets Jacob in the dirt and doesn’t hold back. All night, Jacob clings to Him, refusing to let go until he receives a blessing. But here’s the thing: the physical wrestling was just the beginning. When God touched Jacob’s hip and displaced it, Jacob’s whole life was changed. He left that night with a limp, a new name, and a new destiny. No longer was he Jacob, the deceiver—now he was Israel, the one who wrestles with God and overcomes. God wasn’t just transforming Jacob’s body; He was transforming his future.

Now, church, let’s talk about today’s point. This is where we bring it home, and I want you to write this down: “Transformation occurs when God tests and when God touches.” God tested Jacob’s determination and faith in the struggle, and He touched Jacob physically and spiritually to set him on a new path. What might God be testing in your life right now? What kind of transformation could He be inviting you into? Let’s dig into this together!

Today’s Point:

Transformation Occurs When God Tests And When God Touches!

So, do I believe that this is a real story or is it a symbolic allegory or metaphor? Well, for what it’s worth, I do believe that this is a real literal story. I believe it happened just the way it was written. 

Still, even though this was a real, actual story, I do believe that modern readers can see some symbolism behind Jacob battling with God that night. Just like Jacob, we all wrestle with God at some point—wrestling with His plans, His timing, or even His call on our lives. We want to hold on to our own ways, but God is saying, “Trust me!” Jacob refused to let go until he received a blessing, and that’s the kind of faith God wants from us—faith that clings to Him no matter what. And here’s the powerful part: when God touched Jacob’s hip, it changed him forever. He walked away with a limp, but he also walked away with a new identity and a new purpose. Sometimes, God has to “touch” us in a way that leaves a mark—a reminder of His grace and the transformation He’s worked in our lives. Church, don’t be afraid of the struggle. Don’t be afraid to hold on to God with everything you’ve got, because He’s in the business of changing lives, and He wants to change yours too!

In studying for this message, I listened to a sermon by Richard Hays. His sermon was entitled “Limping and Praising”. I wrote down a quote from Pastor Hays. Check it out. 

“This story reminds us that God meets us in the dark places of our lives, in our struggles, and often in ways we least expect. Those who encounter God in the dark will be not only changed but also marked, left with the wound created by God’s wrenching us out of one life and blessing us with a new one. Jacob emerges from this encounter transformed, no longer the deceiver he once was, but someone marked by the grace of God.”

Today’s Quote: 

“This story reminds us that God meets us in the dark places of our lives, in our struggles, and often in ways we least expect. Those who encounter God in the dark will be not only changed but also marked, left with the wound created by God’s wrenching us out of one life and blessing us with a new one. Jacob emerges from this encounter transformed, no longer the deceiver he once was, but someone marked by the grace of God.”

Theologian Richard Hays’ Sermon “Limping and Praising”

Statement of Belief:

Friends, do me a favor, open your Bibles to Genesis 32:22-32. 

I want to remind you that…

We believe the Bible is inspired, infallible, and authoritative. It is vital for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness. God’s Word brings life, peace, and protection, and it profoundly touches the human soul. As a unique and powerful book, let us stand in reverence and respect for it.

Today’s Scripture:

Genesis 32:22-32 ESV

The same night he arose and took his two wives, his two female servants, and his eleven children, and crossed the ford of the Jabbok. [23] He took them and sent them across the stream, and everything else that he had. [24] And Jacob was left alone. And a man wrestled with him until the breaking of the day. [25] When the man saw that he did not prevail against Jacob, he touched his hip socket, and Jacob's hip was put out of joint as he wrestled with him. [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." [27] And he said to him, "What is your name?" And he said, "Jacob." [28] Then he said, "Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with men, and have prevailed." [29] Then Jacob asked him, "Please tell me your name." But he said, "Why is it that you ask my name?" And there he blessed him. [30] So Jacob called the name of the place Peniel, saying, "For I have seen God face to face, and yet my life has been delivered." [31] The sun rose upon him as he passed Penuel, limping because of his hip. [32] Therefore to this day the people of Israel do not eat the sinew of the thigh that is on the hip socket, because he touched the socket of Jacob's hip on the sinew of the thigh.

Pastor: The is the Word of the Lord.

Congregation: Praise His name, praise His Holy name. 

How Did Jacob’s Battle Royal Lead To Transformation?

First, Examine Jacob’s Struggle: Confronting Our Weaknesses vs. 24-26

So, let’s dive into the text this morning. How did Jacob’s battle royal lead to transformation? First, let’s examine Jacob’s struggle. Jacob had to confront his weaknesses. Go back and read verses 24-26 this morning. 

[24] And Jacob was left alone. And a man wrestled with him until the breaking of the day. [25] When the man saw that he did not prevail against Jacob, he touched his hip socket, and Jacob's hip was put out of joint as he wrestled with him. [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."

Have you ever felt like your struggles always come at the worst possible time? Maybe in the middle of the night, when the world is quiet, and your doubts are loud? That was Jacob. He wrestled through the night—not just with a mysterious man (who we later know to be God), but with himself. Jacob’s story is raw, real, and relatable because it reflects our own struggles with insecurity, dishonesty, selfishness, and discouragement. Let’s examine Jacob’s weaknesses and see how they mirror our own.

Jacob’s whole life was marked by insecurity. Think about it: He was the second-born twin, always living in his brother Esau’s shadow (Genesis 25:23-26). His name even meant “heel-grabber” or “deceiver” (Genesis 27:36). He constantly felt the need to prove himself, to manipulate circumstances to get ahead. In a lot of ways I know exactly how that feels. Growing up, I was very insecure. I too was the second born. My brother was a great athlete and received a lot of attention for his athletic accomplishments. Spencer was better at just about everything than me. He  was an all state baseball player and played ball in college. I got cut from the team. He made better grades than me. The only thing that I had him beat at was that I was way better looking. 

Just kidding of course but I grew up being “Spencer’s baby brother”. Many of you know that story all to well. Our world today doesn’t do anything to help our insecurities. It seems that everywhere we go, we are bombarded by a steady stream of comparisons that only amplify our insecure feelings. They have more money that we do. They take better trips. They have better cars. They have a happier marriage. Their kids are better behaved. The list goes on and on.  Social media doesn’t help. It’s a highlight reel where we compare our behind-the-scenes with someone else’s spotlight. Yet, Psalm 139:14 reminds us, “I am fearfully and wonderfully made.”

Jacob battled insecurity but he also battled the weakness of dishonesty. According to the Google machine, In one day, the average person lies four times, totaling 1,460 lies each year. While men lie about six times a day, women lie three times a day, on average. Folks that is a lot of dishonesty. Bunch of dirty liars out there. Well, Jacob was a liar too. Jacob didn’t just stumble into lies—he ran marathons in deception. He tricked Esau out of his birthright (Genesis 25:29-34) and outright lied to his father to steal the blessing (Genesis 27:18-29). Jacob was always scheming. We may not steal birthrights, but we lie to ourselves and others. We wear masks of perfection, pretending we have it all together. Yet, Proverbs 12:22 says, “The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy.”

What about selfishness? Jacob was super selfish. Jacob’s life motto seemed to be “Me first.” He used Esau’s hunger against him and worked schemes to build his wealth (Genesis 30:25-43). Let’s face it, we’re naturally self-centered. We scroll past GoFundMe links but spend $6 on coffee without blinking. Philippians 2:3 challenges us: “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.” 

Where I think I find the most commonality with Jacob is discouragement. Jacob battled discouragement and depression, just like you and me. Jacob hit rock bottom the night he wrestled with God. He was terrified of meeting Esau, convinced this was the end (Genesis 32:6-7). His fear paralyzed him.

Jacob’s battle took place in the dark—physically and emotionally. Nighttime can amplify our struggles. Depression, loneliness, anxiety—they all seem louder at 2 a.m.

But here’s the truth: God does His best work when we’re at our lowest. Psalm 51:17 (AMP) reminds us:

“My sacrifice [the sacrifice acceptable to God] is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart [broken with sorrow for sin, thoroughly penitent] such, O God, You will not despise.”

Friends I want to remind you this morning that God doesn’t call the qualified; He qualifies the called. The Apostle Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 12:9: “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”

When we stop pretending to be strong and start leaning on God, real transformation happens. Growth is birthed in humility and dependence. 

How Did Jacob’s Battle Royal Lead To Transformation?

First, Examine Jacob’s Struggle: Confronting Our Weaknesses vs. 24-26

Next, Examine Jacob’s Shift: Clinging To God’s Power vs. 26-28

So, Jacob’s first step towards transformation came in the form of struggling. He confronted his weaknesses. Next, let’s examine Jacob’s shift. Where he clung to God’s power. We see this in verse 26-28. Let’s go back and read it again. 

[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." [27] And he said to him, "What is your name?" And he said, "Jacob." [28] Then he said, "Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with men, and have prevailed."

It was just a few weeks ago one of the biggest fights in America occurred. It was a first for a number of reasons. One, it was the first live broadcasted events in Netflix history. Second, it was the first and most likely the only time these two men would contend with one another. The date was November 15th, 2024. Jake Paul, the social media influencer, YouTube star, and boxer was scheduled to fight former heavyweight champion Iron Mike Tyson. Paul, if you remember, is in his mid twenties while Tyson is in his late 50’s. 108 million people around the world tuned into the spectacle. A spectacle it became. People were pining for an awesome event. They were hoping to catch a glimpse of Mike Tyson’s former brilliance in the ring. Most were hoping that an older Tyson would put a much younger Jake Paul out to pasture. What we got was a much younger man fighting a much older man. It was panned as being boring and Tyson later admitted that the only reason that he fought was because he needed the money. 

There have been big fights throughout the years. There have been lots of big contests, huge Super Bowls, enormous World Series. Some rose to the level of expectations while others puttered out before they reached the finish line. 

Let me tell you, if Netflix could get the rights to the fight between Jacob and his cosmic opponent, all the world would want to tune in. This fight, this match, was THE brawl of brawls. It lasted for hours. The blows landed with the force of a hurricane, shaking the ground beneath them. The fight raged on, neither willing to yield, their breaths ragged but determination unwavering. Boy, I wish I could have been there to see it. 

So, let’s talk about this “man” that Jacob was fighting with. Genesis says he’s a “man,” but as the story unfolds, it becomes clear this is no ordinary man. Jacob himself declares in verse 30, “I saw God face to face, and yet my life was spared.” Most theologians believe this man is Jesus, appearing in physical form before His incarnation. We know that Jacob’s opponent was not an angel. Throughout Genesis, distinctions are made between angels and men. This was a man. We know that only God has the ability, the right, to bless. This “man” blesses Jacob in a manner that displays divine authority.  Interestingly enough, Scripture tells us that Jacob had overcome this man. How can this be? If this man truly was Jesus, how could a mortal man have overcome him. It is really not that shocking. Jesus was God but he was also man. A man made of flesh and blood. A man who could get tired, who would require sleep, who would get hungry, who could die. It is not far fetched that Jacob, a man, could overcome Jesus, a man. Still, Jesus is undefeated in both Old and New Testaments. That brings me to my next thought. This man ends the fight by dislocating Jacob’s hip with a touch. We also know that this man had the ability to impact a physical body with a simple touch. We know that Jesus used touch to bring healing throughout the New Testament. While this touch did not bring healing, it certainly left a divine mark on Jacob’s body. We also know that God alone is able to declare someone a new creation, imposing a new name, and shaping a new destiny for a person. Recall Jesus meeting Saul on the road to Damascus. Jesus removes Saul’s sight, changes his name, and puts him on a new path. Much in the same way that this man changed Jacob’s name and put him on a new path. Oh friends, make no mistake, this man, I believe, is Jesus Christ! Praise the Lord. These instances are called Christophanies—appearances of Christ before He was born in Bethlehem.

One of the things that really struck me about this story is the arrival of daybreak and the end of the fight. 

Why did this “man” want to stop at daybreak? Was He tired? Did He need to clock out? Of course not. God is omnipotent, but He often works within the boundaries of human experience to teach us something deeper. I really began to study this point. Why did Jesus stop the fight at daybreak? I came up with three reason that the fight ended at daybreak. 

First, daybreak marks transition. 

Night is often symbolic of struggle, while morning signifies renewal (Psalm 30:5). Jacob wrestled in the darkness of his fears, but when the light came, it revealed a new identity and purpose. 

Next, daybreak brings revelation. 

The man’s identity as divine was not meant to remain hidden. Daybreak symbolized the unveiling of who Jacob was wrestling with—God Himself.

Lastly, daybreak marks the end of battle. 

The struggle had fulfilled its purpose. God doesn’t wrestle with us indefinitely; He engages with us until we’re ready to surrender and receive His blessing.

We often think about doing battle with the world or Satan, but what about wrestling with God? That’s exactly what Jacob did, and it’s an experience we need to embrace. Friends God welcomes hard difficult discussions. 

Jacob didn’t hold back. He clung to God and demanded a blessing. That’s not arrogance; that’s faith. When we engage with God in the hard moments, we’re demonstrating trust that He has the answers—even if they don’t come easily. It is ok to wrestle with Scripture. There are challenging passages in the Bible that don’t make sense at first glance. Wrestling with these truths forces us to dig deeper and grow in understanding. Proverbs 25:2 says, “It is the glory of God to conceal a matter; to search out a matter is the glory of kings. It’s ok to wrestle in prayer. Life is full of overwhelming challenges. Wrestling with God in prayer—pouring out our hearts, seeking answers, asking for His intervention—is not a lack of faith; it’s the essence of faith.

Isaiah 40:31 (GNT) reminds us of the outcome of wrestling with God:

“But those who trust in the Lord for help will find their strength renewed. They will rise on wings like eagles; they will run and not get weary; they will walk and not grow weak.”

Wrestling with God doesn’t weaken us—it strengthens us. Jacob left the fight with a limp, but he also left with a blessing and a new name. His limp wasn’t a mark of defeat; it was a reminder of God’s power working through his weakness.

How Did Jacob’s Battle Royal Lead To Transformation?

First, Examine Jacob’s Struggle: Confronting Our Weaknesses vs. 24-26

Next, Examine Jacob’s Shift: Clinging To God’s Power vs. 26-28

Lastly, Examine Jacob’s Scar: Claiming God’s Blessing vs. 29-32

So, we have arrived to our last point. Examine Jacob’s scar. Jacob claimed God’s blessing. Go back and read verse 29-32. 

Genesis 32:29-32 ESV

Then Jacob asked him, "Please tell me your name." But he said, "Why is it that you ask my name?" And there he blessed him. [30] So Jacob called the name of the place Peniel, saying, "For I have seen God face to face, and yet my life has been delivered." [31] The sun rose upon him as he passed Penuel, limping because of his hip. [32] Therefore to this day the people of Israel do not eat the sinew of the thigh that is on the hip socket, because he touched the socket of Jacob's hip on the sinew of the thigh.

When Jacob walked away from that encounter, he wasn’t just different on the inside—he was visibly, permanently changed. His hip was wrenched, and he limped for the rest of his life. That limp wasn’t a sign of defeat; it was a testimony. It said to everyone who saw him, “This man wrestled with God, and he lived to tell about it.” Jacob’s new name, Israel, was a mark of his new identity, but the limp was proof that the encounter wasn’t just spiritual—it was real, it was personal, and it left an undeniable impact.

When we truly meet God, we don’t leave the same way we came. An encounter with the living God marks us. It reshapes who we are. Just like Jacob, our walk changes—sometimes literally, but always spiritually. When people see us, they should know that something has happened. They should notice the peace we carry, the joy that shines through hardship, the resilience that comes not from ourselves but from the God who wrestled with us and blessed us.

It wasn’t enough for Jacob to receive a new name. God didn’t stop with just redefining who Jacob was; He changed how Jacob moved through the world. A new identity without a new walk is incomplete. The limp was part of the blessing, a constant reminder that God’s strength is made perfect in our weakness. As 2 Corinthians 4:16-17 (The Message) beautifully puts it: “So we’re not giving up. How could we! Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without His unfolding grace. These hard times are small potatoes compared to the coming good times, the lavish celebration prepared for us.”

Jacob’s limp was a reminder that the struggle was worth it. The pain of the night led to the joy of a new morning. His scar wasn’t just physical; it was spiritual. It was a testimony to the fact that he had contended with God, that he had seen the face of God and lived.

What about you? What is your scar? What evidence in your life shows that you have wrestled with God and come out changed? Are you willing to let God leave His mark on you, even if it means pain, struggle, or difficulty? Too often, we want the blessing without the battle, the promise without the process. But God doesn’t work that way. He changes us in the struggle, in the wrestling, in the dark nights of the soul when we feel like giving up but hold on to Him anyway.

This morning, I want to challenge you: let God change your walk. Maybe you’ve been holding onto the past, living as the old version of yourself—Jacob the deceiver, Jacob the insecure, Jacob the selfish. It’s time to stop living as Jacob and start living as Israel, the one who wrestles with God and prevails. That might mean surrendering something you’ve been holding onto for too long. It might mean embracing the limp, letting your weakness become the stage for God’s strength.

Yes, the struggle is real, and yes, it might leave a scar. But the scar is proof that you’ve encountered the living God. It’s a reminder that you didn’t walk away empty-handed—you walked away blessed.

As we close, I want to leave you with this challenge: Don’t be afraid of the wrestling. Don’t be afraid of the scar. Let God do whatever it takes to change your walk, because when He does, you’ll walk with a new purpose, a new identity, and a new story to tell. You’ll be marked as His—forever.

Remember, God’s test will turn the trajectory of your life. Believe it. 

God’s Test Will Turn The Trajectory of Your Life! Believe It!

Closing Prayer:

Father, we come before You humbled by Jacob’s story, reminded that You meet us in our weakness and wrestle with us not to harm us, but to transform us. Thank You for being a God who is not distant, but One who draws close—even in our darkest nights. Lord, we acknowledge our insecurities, our struggles, our selfishness, and our discouragement, and we lay them at Your feet.

Teach us to cling to You, even when it’s hard, even when it hurts. Help us to trust that Your blessing is worth the struggle and that Your strength is made perfect in our weakness. Change our walk, Lord. Mark us with Your presence so that the world can see we have encountered You and are forever different.

Give us courage to embrace the limp, to carry the scars of transformation, and to walk boldly in the new identity You give us. May we, like Jacob, rise from the wrestling match with a testimony of Your faithfulness and grace. We surrender to You, Lord—shape us, use us, and bless us according to Your will.

In Jesus’ name, we pray, amen.