“And Jacob awaked out of his sleep, and he said, Surely the Lord is in this place; and I knew it not.”
Jacob was on his way out. Out of the homeland. Out of Esau’s reach. Away from the deception that had so characterized his life. Along the way, he stopped to rest, laying his head on a rock for a pillow. A life of lies behind him. An angry brother after him. A deceptive uncle before him. He was truly, as the adage declares, “Between a rock and a hard place.”
Enter the heavenly hosts. A ladder appeared with angels going up and down from earth to heaven. And above the ladder stood God, giving Jacob promise of land and blessings for the whole world. Jacob awoke and declared, “The Lord is in this place…what [an awesome] place.” Jacob built an altar and worshiped.
God revealed Himself and even gave promises and blessings to this son of Isaac while he was still “the deceiver.’ It would be a long time before he became a “prince with God.” Yet, the Lord was in that place.
How wonderful and encouraging to know that God reveals Himself to us in our sinfulness and weakness. While we were yet sinners, He died for us. And we can worship today, in spite of our imperfections. Yes, God meets us to lead us to a better place. But we can experience the awesomeness of worship along the path. No matter your past or your present rock or hard place, worship Him today in spirit and in truth.
Sarah Fletcher
Tennessee
PRAY TOGETHER: Pray as 2007 Cleo Pursell Scholarship recipients begin studies at the new Panama seminary, opening this month.
