In Vincent Cheung’s recent essay, “Seek God Through His Blessings,” he says the following:

“One of the most insidious of these teachings is the notion that we should not seek blessings from God, but instead seek God himself…The Bible teaches the opposite. Jacob wrestled with God and said, ‘I will not let you go until you bless me.’ So God blessed him, and called him Israel, meaning ‘a prince with God.’ Jacob’s tenacity, his refusal to let go until he received God’s blessing, was counted as faith. This persistence brought him into a deeper relationship with God. Jacob did not separate God from his blessing, but he understood that to seek the blessing of God was to seek God himself.”

What is interesting about God renaming Jacob as Israel is obvious. Israel is about Jacob’s relationship with God. Jacob is a prince of God—or, that is, a royal son of God and of heaven’s kingdom. God defined Jacob in relationship to Him. This definition of Jacob’s relationship is a very close one. My first thought is, “Wow, I want that type of close relationship with God. How and why did God redefine Jacob with such a close relationship?” It was in seeking God’s blessings, favor, and goodies by faith that God redefined Jacob in a closer relationship with Him. From this we learn: If you want a closer relationship with God, ask and get more material stuff from God. If you want a more distant relationship with God, then don’t ask and don’t get material blessings from God. By seeking blessings and answered prayers from God, you seek Him more and have a closer relationship—or the opposite.

In short, if you’re wrestling with God for blessings like Jacob did, you will pin down a divine upgrade. Not only will you get a holy handout, but God will give you a heavenly high-five, because you have such a close relationship.