God’s Unexpected Presence – Cheryl Weber
“‘Then Jacob awoke from his sleep and said, “Surely the Lord is in this place, and I wasn’t even aware of it!’” Genesis 28:16
Jacob, son of Isaac and grandson of Abraham, had just stolen his older brother Esau’s blessing as a firstborn son and now fled Esau’s wrath. Along his escape route, however, he had an unexpected encounter. He dreamed of a stairway to heaven at the top of which stood God. The Lord promised Jacob the land he was “lying on” along with many descendants through whom, “all the families of the earth will be blessed.” God assured Jacob; he would not leave him until he had done for Jacob all he’d said he would.
Jacob’s weakness and sin were no match for God’s mercy and power. The Lord still revealed himself to Jacob and gave the patriarch the same promise spoken to his grandfather Abraham and to his father Isaac, “the child of promise.” Indeed, all the families of the earth would be blessed through their greatest descendent: Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world.
Jacob played an important role in God’s overall plan for mankind’s redemption and God’s overall purposes would not be thwarted. Yet his story is no excuse for careless living; King Saul thwarted God’s purpose for his life by his disobedience (1 Samuel 15:26) and lost both his sanity and the kingdom. But even though we stumble and fall or battle a great weakness of character, God can still break into our lives in the most unexpected times and places. In his great wisdom, power, and goodness, he can use even the consequences of our worst mistakes and failures in his plans for us if we repent and turn to Him in humility. He will never forsake us and he can still fulfill his purposes. Along with Jacob, we can say, “Surely the Lord is in this place!”
PRAYER: Dear Lord, thank you for your mercy and grace. Help me to live my life in obedience to you so that you can work out your plans for me. AMEN.
Contact Cheryl and read more HERE.
