Bethel: House of God (Genesis 28)

Welcome to Real Life. Unfortunately, I am not at all observant. I often miss things happening right in front of me. Jacob had the same problem … until God opened his eyes. 

Jacob is traveling alone. He is going to Haran to seek a wife among his mother’s people. As the sun sets, he stops for the night. He finds a smooth rock to use for a pillow and falls asleep. Jacob dreams of a stairway to heaven.[1] Angels are ascending and descending the stairs. At the top stands the Lord. He speaks to Jacob, renewing the promises he made to Jacob’s father Isaac and his grandfather Abraham.[2] He tells Jacob, “I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go.” In the morning, Jacob awakens with this thought, 


“Surely the Lord is in this place, and I was not aware of it.” 

He calls the place “Bethel” which means “house of God.” 

We live in a physical world of people, places and things that we can touch and see. But, this is not the only world that exists. God opened Jacob’s eyes to the spiritual world. It’s a realm that many sense, but few are privileged to see. It is real nonetheless.

Often in prayer, God’s Spirit will whisper to me, “Yes, I am with you.” I need the reminder. Just as God was with Jacob, he is always with me. How often am I aware of it?

When I placed my faith in Christ, he came to dwell within me by his Holy Spirit.[3] He promised to never leave or forsake me.[4] My very body became a Bethel, a house of God, a temple of his Holy Spirit.[5] God’s presence is not housed in a church building. Followers of Jesus Christ carry his presence everywhere we go. Do others sense God’s presence in my presence?

Surely, the Lord is in this place. He is with me right here, right now. Am I aware of it?

Give me eyes to see you today, Lord. 

Take it further …
  • How aware of God’s presence are you? Get quiet. Close your eyes. Think about his presence with you. David said to the Lord, “You are with me.”[6]
  • “Open the Eyes of My Heart” performed by Michael W. Smith. 
[1] Unlike Led Zepplin’s “Stairway to Heaven,” this one is free.
[2] Genesis 28:13-14
[3] Galatians 2:20
[4] John 14:16-17
[5] 1 Corinthians 3:16
[6] Portion of Psalm 23:4 (NLT)
Image: http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NwNDmF15WNs/TbZS97k-
_AI/AAAAAAAABAs/gUV7b_saFEo/s1600/StairwayToHeaven.jpg

Comments

  1. Pat GarciaJune 22, 2012 at 3:04 AM

    Hi Peggi,
    This is a wonderful morning meditation and I passed it along in my twitter community. I personally love the plea from David in Psalm 119 where he wrote and I paraphase it into my own words, LORD, open my eyes that I may see and behold the wonderous works of your law.

    It is so beautiful knowing that I have a God who is personal, who cares and is there 24/7 for me.
    Thank you.
    Ciao,
    Patricia

    ReplyDelete
  2. Peggi TustanJune 22, 2012 at 10:27 AM

    Hi Patricia,

    Your words nourished my soul! Thanks for sharing Psalm 119. I prayed it this morning.

    You have such a powerful ministry of encouragement and wisdom, Patricia. I am blessed to learn from you. :)

    Thanks, Peggi

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Thanks so much for taking the time to comment!

Popular posts from this blog

Autumn in the Neighborhood | November 2017

Image
Welcome to Real Life . It's autumn in my neighborhood. Chilly. Dark at suppertime. Winter is on its way. Before creation naps in blankets white and grey, the leaves wave their vibrant farewell! He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end. (Ecclesiastes 3:11 NIV)
Read more

The Revelation of Jesus Christ | Revelation 1

Image
Welcome to  Real Life . I think I know someone. Then something happens - a crisis or joyful event - and I see that person in a whole new way. The Apostle John knew Jesus. He spent years at Jesus’ side. Then one day on the island of Patmos, John saw him in a whole new light.  John on Patmos John was one of twelve apostles of Jesus Christ. He was also one of Jesus’ closest friends on earth. After Jesus’ death and resurrection, John became a leader in the early church. He wrote five books of the New Testament: the Gospel of John ; a trio of letters titled 1 John, 2 John, and 3 John ; and the book of Revelation . The Gospel of John is his narrative of Jesus’ life. In it, we learn that Jesus is more than a prophet. He is God himself, the Creator of the world and everything in it, who put on flesh and came to earth to save us. [1] John wrote in order that we may believe Jesus is the Christ and by believing have eternal life. [2] In 1st John , we discover that “God is lo
Read more

In Loving Memory of My Sister!

Image
Welcome to Real Life . Like it or not, death is a part of real life. Theresa (Salva) Keeler September 8, 1957 - July 7, 2023 Theresa/Terre/Tess [1]  was my sister, my friend from the moment of my birth until her last breath. I don’t know how to live without a sister. I don’t want to learn. Yet, in the midst of my sadness, I am incredibly grateful God blessed me with a sister. In many ways, Terre and I were black and white. We did not look like sisters. We grew up sharing a room, and drove each other crazy with her messiness and my neatness. She was Miss Morning Sunshine. I crawled out of bed and growled. Bone deep, however, we were the same. Our foundation stones were cut from the same quarry. We were the daughters of Slovak immigrants who were fiercely proud of both their US citizenship and their Slovak heritage. Our father arrived on this continent in his thirties with little more than the clothes on his back. Our childhood was simple and carefree. My mother did not drive, so we walk
Read more