(Genesis 32:26) 

Have you you been asking God for a particular blessing for a long time and you still have not received it?  Since it has not happened yet, have you thought about giving up?  Do you sometimes believe that God does not give you your request because you are unworthy?  If you have answered yes to any of the above questions, you are not alone.  Sometimes we can all get discouraged while waiting on God to answer our prayers the way we want Him to.  The good news is, however, that God does not mind our continued holding on to Him as we wait.  In fact, the passage above depicts that Jacob's zealousness in holding on got him the blessing he was asking for.

Jacob was known early in life as a "grabber" and a "trickster."    There was hostility between Jacob and his brother Esau.  Jacob tried to keep Esau from being the first born son.  Jacob also bargained for Esau's birthright through deception. Truly Jacobs' life did not warrant blessings from God.  Any favor that Jacob received would certainly be a blessing.  Through it all, Jacob came to realize the Sovereignty of God.  Although the Scripture above does not specifically name who Jacob was wrestling with, it is presumed by many that He was the Angel of the Lord.  The two struggled most of the night.  Jacob's hip was dislocated in the struggle.  Even so, Jacob would not let Him go.  Clinging to Him, Jacob demanded a blessing.   His tenacity in hanging on paid off.  The blessing took the form of a new name, "Israel."  It signified that God strived on his behalf.  We now refer to the 12 tribes of "Israel" as descendants of Jacob. 

Those of us who have accepted Jesus Christ as our Savior are in the family of God.  As a result of our relationship with God, we can come boldly to Him with our request.  Of course God is Sovereign and does not have to give us what we ask for.  However we know that He loves us, and that He has given us instructions to pray without ceasing.  I have confidence that God will bless me when I come to Him with my petitions.  He may not come when I want Him, but He is always on time.  Therefore I hold on to Him for dear life while waiting for my blessing. 

If you are experiencing trials in your life, "HOLD ON."  God is not through with you yet.  He has a great blessing just for you.  If you give up to soon, you may lose it.  Hang in there.  Like my father-in-law would say, "give out, but don't give up."  Or like Jacob would say, "I will not let you go, except you bless me."  HOLD ON FOR YOUR BLESSING!