January 21 – Genesis 27-29

Today’s reading comes from Genesis 27-29. Before reading I invite you to pray and asked God to speak to you as you read his word.

Have you ever seen God? Has he ever spoken to you? I have never talked with or met a person who has actually seen God in person or had an audible conversation with God. But that does not mean his prescience is not seen or his voice not heard. It’s amazing the way God shows himself to us.

Jacob saw God in a way that you and I probably never will until we walk through the gates of heaven. Jacob is on his way to his mother’s family’s house to find a wife when he stops to rest for the night. It is here that he has a dream where the angels of God are ascending and descending heaven on a staircase. At the top of this staircase is God himself who speaks to Jacob and confirms with him that the promise made to Abraham would go through him.

Have you ever had an encounter with God like that? I have not. God has never given me a dream where there is some sort of angelic activity and him speaking directly to me with a perfect vision of himself. But I know God has spoken to me, and it is so amazing when he does.

One day late last spring I was having a horrible day. Two people in our church were struggling over issues with each other and it was getting rough. It broke my heart because of what was going on. It was at this time we were facing a leadership situation and in the midst of it all, I get an email from someone whose heart is breaking for these situations, as well as to inform me of some other issues we were facing. Right in the heat of my own pity party a good friend calls me to see about lunch sometime that week … great reminder whose in control … and he can tell something was not right with me. We schedule a meeting outside of Lebanon so I could openly talk with out anyone overhearing. I get off the phone, finished an email and then headed to Armco Park.

At Armco Park I find my favorite spot where I put in my headphones and spent an hour in worship and prayer. From there I opened up the laptop and done some journaling and letter writing. By the time I was done my entire mood had shifted. I had felt the prescience of God. I heard his voice in my worship, prayer, and time in His Word. The words I wrote were not mine, but God’s himself and I completely knew it. It was amazing to see and feel God speak to me. That night was a wonderful night of relaxation with my family. By the time my friend and I got together I was in a completely different place.

I love the way Jacob responded when he awoke from his sleep. It might have been extreme but it is similar to how I reacted that day. Read these words again … “When Jacob awoke from his sleep, he thought, “Surely the Lord is in this place, and I was not aware of it.” He was afraid and said, “How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God; this is the gate of heaven.” Genesis 28:16-17 (NIV84) Friends, how awesome the place you encounter God. Treasure that place. Store it close to your heart. Seek times with God where he will speak with you.