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Ring of Truth provides 366 daily ‘proofs’ that the Bible is consistent throughout from Genesis to Revelation, and relevant for our lives today!
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Genesis 28:20–22
“Then Jacob made a vow, saying, ‘If God will be with me and will watch over me on this journey I am taking and will give me food to eat and clothes to wear so that I return safely to my father’s house, then the Lord will be my God. This stone that I have set up as a pillar will be God’s house, and of all that You give me I will give You a tenth.’”
The schemer meets more than his match. But does God rebuke him for his actions and attitudes? No. God shows us again and again that He is a God of love, acceptance, faithfulness, and grace.
Jacob did not receive the blessing because of his righteousness, his goodness or good works. He received it out of totally unmerited favour. And that is true for each of us. None of us is worthy of God’s love, His forgiveness, His peace, and His blessing – but just as He did with Jacob, He freely gives them to us by His grace and because of the completed work of His Son, Jesus Christ. Jesus paid the price to ‘buy’ our salvation and all the blessings of heaven are ours because of Him and Him alone.
None of us was, is, or will be sufficiently worthy to receive the blessing of God – it is ours by humbly accepting what Christ did on our behalf. We will never be able to earn it.
This is another of the great themes we shall see throughout the Scriptures. It’s another ‘Ring of Truth’! God is a good God. God is a merciful God and His love and blessing are unconditional and given to us purely by His grace – His Sovereign choice.
Jacob had a dream. I wonder if God had to give him a dream because He couldn't ever get his attention during the day? So He comes to him at night while he is asleep. (It happens with me a lot.)
Notice Jacob didn’t go after God. He wasn’t seeking Him. God always takes the initiative. Often in their testimonies, people use the phrase – ‘I found God’ as if God had got lost. Not so – God is not lost, we are. God is constantly trying to get our attention through creation and circumstances. God constantly reaches out to you. As the old song goes – “If you feel away from Jesus – guess who moved?”
But to give Jacob his due, he does recognise God in the dream. How often we miss His signature.
However, the surprise is not only that God sought out Jacob, the schemer, to bless him – but also Jacob’s response. Jacob is like Peter. He reacts to events. Unlike Esau – Jacob recognised the holy. He exclaims, “Surely the Lord is in this place, and I was not aware of it.”… “How awesome is this place! This is none other than the House of God; this is the gate of Heaven” (v16).
How do you respond to the presence of God? When you go to Church each week – do you meet with God? If so, how do you respond? Treat it as just another meeting or bow in His Awesome Presence, and thank Him for the unmerited privilege?
What about in other places too where God has spoken to you or you have had an encounter with Him. Are they special? Have you made a pillar? I have. I have lots of them around the world. Put up a pillar in your memory. It will strengthen your faith and defeat the enemy.
But Jacob didn’t just put up a pillar – he made a vow. He made a commitment as we see in our reading for today. The Lord will be my God.
Can you say that? Have you made that commitment? Have you established that covenant? What are you doing about it? Have you been water baptised? Do you give God a tenth or is that too much?
Jacob didn’t tithe by law. He did it out of a grateful response.
How grateful are you?
What have you done to show it?
Did you also notice the progression in his prayer? “If God be with me …” becomes “of all that YOU give me.” He moves from a mere acknowledgement of a distant God to speaking to Him in intimate terms.
What about you? Have you made the change? Is God distant or intimate to you?
If He is distant to you, listen. He longs for you to be intimate. Talk to Him right now just like you talk to your best friend or loved one. It will revolutionise your life and delight His heart.
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