The world is filled with stories of battles. As a nation, we have many anniversaries marking victories in times past. The exploite and conquests of ancient warriors like Alexander the Great, Julius Ceasar, William the Conqueror and I had better not forget William, Prince of Orange, come down to us and live on amongst us. But none of these great warriors ever gained a victory half so significant as that gained by Jacob in the passage before us. Other battles are but mere men struggling with mere men. Here is a mere man laying hold upon the Mighty God, the Angel of the Covenant, the Lord Jesus Christ and obtaining a blessing from Him. All mankind has been touched by the outcome of this battle. Jacob obtained God's blessing upon himself and thus upon his posterity. All who enter heaven will be sharing in the blessing this man obtained from the Lord. We should learn from this encounter that no blessing is entered upon and enjoyed without a battle. Conversion involves a struggle -- "Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able," Luke 13:24. (Strive=conflict, John 18:36) 1 Tim 6:12, 2 Tim 4:7.