The Night God Changed a Name 4/30
The Night God Changed a Name
Jacob was a schemer. He lied to his father and deceived his brother. He manipulated his way through life. But one night, he wrestled with God and refused to let go. God changed his name from Jacob to Israel. He was no longer defined by his past but by his new identity in God.
God changed Jacob’s name because He changed his heart. The encounter transformed Jacob from a deceiver into one who clung to God. This is what God does. He meets us in our struggle and rewrites our identity. We are not who we were; we are who He says we are.
You may walk in with labels like failure, addict, or not enough. A real encounter with God changes that. He defines you now. His truth overrides your past and others’ opinions. What old name are you still answering to that God wants to replace with His name for you?
Genesis 32:28 (KJV): “Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.”
Prayer: Confess one old identity label you believe and ask God to speak His truth over you.
Challenge: Write down the name “Israel” and one truth from Scripture about who God says you are.
To listen to the sermon that corresponds with this devotion, click the link: https://www.mbcpb.org/media
Jacob was a schemer. He lied to his father and deceived his brother. He manipulated his way through life. But one night, he wrestled with God and refused to let go. God changed his name from Jacob to Israel. He was no longer defined by his past but by his new identity in God.
God changed Jacob’s name because He changed his heart. The encounter transformed Jacob from a deceiver into one who clung to God. This is what God does. He meets us in our struggle and rewrites our identity. We are not who we were; we are who He says we are.
You may walk in with labels like failure, addict, or not enough. A real encounter with God changes that. He defines you now. His truth overrides your past and others’ opinions. What old name are you still answering to that God wants to replace with His name for you?
Genesis 32:28 (KJV): “Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.”
Prayer: Confess one old identity label you believe and ask God to speak His truth over you.
Challenge: Write down the name “Israel” and one truth from Scripture about who God says you are.
To listen to the sermon that corresponds with this devotion, click the link: https://www.mbcpb.org/media
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2026
January
February
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March
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May
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June
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