Have you ever been camping? Ever slept on the ground under the stars? Not very comfortable is it? Can you imagine Jacob's thoughts as he lay down on the hard ground, using only a stone as his pillow? What good had all the scheming and lying really done for him? It could well be that there came a spirit of repentance to Jacob as he lay there. Did he realise something of his sin? Did he cry to God for help? We are not told but certainly God came to him that night and gave him a new start. That is how God always comes to a sinner in need. He comes in love and mercy. Jacob discovered what so many sinners have discovered - that God is so near, God is so merciful, and God is so forgiving. God wants to bless us. What did Jacob see in his dream? It was a ladder, but it was not leaning against a wall. It was very long and extended all the way from where Jacob was lying right up to heaven. Then there were angels moving effortlessly up and down that great stairway. Above it stood God. What a sight! And God spoke to Jacob in his dream. What did He say? 'I am still here. I haven' forgotten anything. I have promised. I am going to bless you and I will always be with you.' What was Jacob's response? First, a recognition of the presence of God. (v.16-17) Then he recognised God as God and gave his life and his possessions over to the Lord in a new way. It was a new beginning for Jacob but it was the beginning of a life made rich in every way by the presence of God. It will be the same for us as we put our faith and trust in Him. There was still a lot of the schemer and deceiver left in Jacob and it would be many years before God was able to really change him. But God had begun and would be faithful to His Word. VERSE FOR TODAY: 'Be still and know that I am God.' |
沒有留言:
張貼留言