Reading Through The Bible: Number 71
Genesis 28 tells of a stony pillow and a ladder to Heaven!
The “one-liner” that comes to mind as I read this story again this morning is: “Where there is a will there is a relative!” How many families have been fractured beyond repair by the human greed that shows itself when a rich man dies and the will is read! Jacob soon sees that there is a price to pay for lying, deception and selfishness as Esau threatens to take his life as soon as the time of mourning is over.
Fleeing for his life, Jacob finds himself in a lonely, deserted place, and as the sun sets he takes a rock as a pillow and although his conscience is killing him, somehow manages to fall asleep. God sees the sorrow of Jacob and the repentance that fills his heart and send a message to him through a dream:
“Then he dreamed, and behold, a ladder was set up on the earth, and its top reached to heaven; and there the angels of God were ascending and descending on it. And behold, the Lord stood above it and said: “I am the Lord God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac; the land on which you lie I will give to you and your descendants. Also, your descendants shall be as the dust of the earth; you shall spread abroad to the west and the east, to the north and the south; and in you and in your seed all the families of the earth shall be blessed. Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have spoken to you.” (Genesis 28:12-15) TALK ABOUT GRACE!!!
When sinners feel so worthless and deserted by God because of their life of sin, they are at the place where God is nearer to them than ever before! How longingly He waits for them to say: “God, I’ve blown it! I have made a complete mess of my life and I can’t see that You could ever forgive me.” At that time, as at no other, God smiles and says: “TRY ME!”
How clear and precious in my mind is the afternoon at North Avalon in 1969 that my sins became too heavy to carry anymore and I dropped to my knees and said: “God, there is not a reason I can think of that You should forgive me for the life I have lived. I have no excuses to offer, I’m just a sinner through and through! But You say You will forgive me if I ask You to, and here I am asking! Please forgive me and help me!”
Thus began my amazing new life with Jesus! I knew at that moment that if Jesus were to come, or if I were to die, I would live eternally! God promised me that day, as He did Jacob: “I will not leave you until I have done what I have spoken to you.” Forty-seven years later, I can testify that He is true to His Word!
So what about that ladder? More tomorrow!
Have a great day.