December 11: Jacob

From Deceiver to Destiny

Sharon Campbell-Danvers 

Genesis 32:28 KJV
And he said 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.

Jacob’s life is a powerful reminder that God does not define us by our past but by His purpose for our future. Jacob carried a name that reflected his struggles. He was known as a deceiver a man who often relied on his own strength cleverness and manipulation. Yet in a life changing moment Jacob wrestled with God until daybreak refusing to let go until he received a blessing. In that struggle God did more than touch his body. God transformed his identity. He declared that Jacob would no longer be called the deceiver but Israel meaning a prince who prevails with God.

There are moments in our lives when we too must confront who we have been and allow God to reshape who we are becoming. The enemy wants us trapped by old labels old failures and patterns that pull us away from who God created us to be. He whispers that we will never rise above our mistakes. But God steps into our struggle and speaks a new name over us. He calls us chosen redeemed and destined for purpose. When we hold on to Him in faith He changes our direction and releases us into His plan.

There comes a point in every believer’s journey when we must confront the labels that have clung to us for years. Some were spoken over us by others. Some we attached to ourselves after seasons of failure weakness or disappointment. These labels can become heavy burdens that shape how we think act and see our future. Yet God invites us to release every name that does not reflect His truth. He calls us to surrender the guilt of past mistakes the shame of wrong choices the fear of not being enough and the belief that we are defined by our failures. When we place these labels in His hands He replaces them with His own words. He calls us forgiven renewed chosen and dearly loved. Releasing these old identities frees us to walk boldly in the destiny He created for us.

Just as Jacob walked away with a new name and a new limp we also walk differently when God transforms us. The limp reminded Jacob that he could no longer depend on his own ability. His strength now came from God. When we surrender our past allow God to redefine our identity and walk forward in obedience we step into the destiny He prepared for us long before we understood our own potential.

Prayer: 

Lord I surrender every old label every past failure and every false identity that has tried to define me. Thank You for meeting me in my struggle and calling me by a new name. I receive Your purpose Your grace and the destiny You have spoken over my life. Help me to walk forward in faith and obedience. Amen.