"Jacob wrestles an angel" 

Genesis 32.22-32

"Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with men and have overcome." vs 28

Have you ever struggled with God?

Jeremiah 12.5. If you have raced with men on foot and they have worn you out, how can you compete with horses? If you stumble in safe country, how will you manage in the thickets by the Jordan? 

Hosea 4. He struggled with the angel and overcame him; he wept and begged for his favor. He found him at Bethel and talked with him there-- 
5. the LORD God Almighty, the LORD is his name of renown! 

- To be or act as prince, rule, contend, have power, prevail over

1. (Qal) to rule over, govern
2. (Hiphil) to make rulers, play the prince

There would have to be quite a lengthy discussion on the role of angels in world events (the book of Daniel would be a great place to start) in order to have a baseline of perspective here - however...

Since we don't have time for that, please understand that I believe strongly in the ultimate Sovereignty of God at work in the overall course of human events.

I see the struggle here in Genesis 32.24-29 as that which took Jacob from being merely a "usurper" ('supplanter') and placed him with the Divinely supported role of 'prince' of the tribe of promise, yet to come.

Was it already 'in the cards' for Jacob to be in the line of promise? Yes, of course. But, I don't think Jacob was ready for it until he had grappled with the calling and promise of God in this plan for his life. As the expression goes, 'the devil is in the details.'

Sometimes we fail in daily struggles, our 'grappling' with men, because we haven't first prepared our initiative by 'grappling' with God. We plod along because we haven't learn to run "with horses."

Divine reliance produces the fortitude necessary to accomplish Divine designs. Will I accomplish all that is Providentially possible in my life? No. I make too many decisions based upon feelings and have missed too many opportunities because of fears.

Were I to spend more time alone with God, communing - not carping, I would develop that Divine reliance so imperative in making truly spiritual decisions. I would act proactively with spiritual purpose. And, on those occasions - when in a situation where reaction becomes a response to the unanticipated, uncalled for, and unwanted, I would exhibit the fortitude found in the fruit of confidence.

Jacob was later able to exhibit the supreme confidence that undoubtedly earned him enemies, because he had grappled with God, wept in earnest and begged for His favor. Jacob had looked for God, had found Him, and talked with Him.

How long has it been since you've been that serious with God?