"For you have prevailed against God and men"

Jacob was given a new name to represent his new identity and self-awareness of who he was in the sight of God. It was after his wilderness experience of 20 years struggling against the elements, his relatives and his in-laws, not to say his own wives could be a handful and tiresome to deal with. This was after his struggle against his twin, first for his birth-right, then running for his life from his brother Esau and at last still fearful of Esau that he would take revenge against him after 20 years.

At the river Jabbok, Jacob struggled against God represented by God's angel that Jacob had to wrestle whole night till dawn before overcoming him. It was a mighty struggle to survive for Jacob, and hence, Israel his new name, a prince with God and men.

I also know that whatever I had won in God I had to wrestle and struggle with all my might. Imagine serving during the pandemic when almost every form of ministry had ceased and church services came to a halt. How convenient for those who could just say we watch online services. No wonder they are not called, "Israel" for the Israel of God like the Galatians had suffered for their faith and Paul was afraid that their suffering was all in vain if they lapsed to another Gospel and turned away from the grace of Christ. 

When I returned from New Zealand, I felt a sense of a new identity, a new man with a new purpose and a new ministry. But it was not without a struggle. People are faithless all around and where can you find a faithful man? I had to make my case again and again, speaking the truth in love, never wavering in the belief that my cause is just and those who try to outwit me is actually fighting against God. Lord, for I am your servant and the son of your handmaid.