“And Jacob awaked out of his sleep, and he said, Surely the LORD is in this place; and I knew it not.”
Genesis 28:16
The patriarch Jacob traveled from Beersheba to Haran—some 450 miles—with nothing more than his staff and his dependence upon God (Genesis 32:10). As he slept one evening out in the wilderness and under the stars, the LORD gave him a spectacular dream in which a great ladder connected heaven and earth (Genesis 28:12). As angels were ascending and descending the ladder, and the LORD stood above it and promised Jacob great things (Genesis 28:13-15). Suddenly, “Jacob awaked out of his sleep, and he said, Surely the LORD is in this place; and I knew it not. And he was afraid, and said, How dreadful is this place! this is none other but the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven” (Genesis 28:16-17). How strange and mysterious it is that the awesome God who inhabits eternity (Isaiah 57:15) and commands myriads of angelic armies (Psalm 103:20) could be anywhere unnoticed and undetected. If not for Jacob’s divine dream the great patriarch would have continued on his way unaware that God was so near to him. Approximately 1800 years later, the Mighty God of Jacob walked the earth in the Person of His beloved Son Jesus. In Jesus, Israel’s promised divine King had come (Micah 5:2). The Gate of heaven walked among men (John 10:9). How sad that many failed to recognize Him (John 6:30-42). “He came unto his own” said John, “and his own received him not” (John 1:11). Today you and I have God’s Holy Scriptures, which are written testimony to the Person and work of Jesus (John 5:39). This sacred library from the LORD reminds us that we too are in the presence of the Mighty God of Jacob. “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee” said the Lord to His people (Hebrews 13:5), and again, “I am with you always, even unto the end of the world” (Matthew 28:20). The individual Christian has become God’s new Temple on the earth (1 Corinthians 6:19), a holy habitation of God in the Spirit (Ephesians 2:22). The Christian can observe himself and say truly “God is in this place.” When trials and temptations come, may we not forget who and what we are. May we be mindful of God’s abiding presence in us. When we are troubled and sad, may we remember that the God of all comfort has chosen to make His home in us (2 Corinthians 1:3-4). When we are enjoying peace, happiness and prosperity, may we not forget that every good and perfect gift comes from the God of heaven (James 1:17). It is this great God who has chosen to become our abiding Emmanuel, our “God with us” (Matthew 1:23). May we walk strong in the knowledge of His presence, as faithful and courageous ambassadors for Christ.
God bless you dear saints,
Pastor John
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