PLACES OF GOD’S PRESENCE

Are there some places that are precious to you because you have encountered God? Places where God has made Himself known with greater measure? Encounters with God that came at the point of your great need?

There are to me. I can immediately think of the fourth-row pew in a church in Little Rock where God brought me to the end of myself at age 17; an altar at a chapel in college; a rock, high up in the Rocky Mts where God restored my soul … and on and on. Sacred places made holy by nothing less than the presence of God at needy times.

BETHEL

… was that to Jacob. God had appeared to him there and Jacob had raised an altar to God. In Genesis 35, we find him returning to Bethel and “God appeared to Jacob again” (Vs. 9). He assures Jacob, once more, of the promise made to his fathers and now he changes his name to “Israel.” He gave him instructions (“Be fruitful and multiply”) and a fresh reminder of His promise (“A nation, indeed an assembly of nations, will come from you … I will give to you the land that I gave to Abraham and Isaac. And I will give the land to your future descendants” Vs. 12).

We should look for these moments, these places, and these promises. God still speaks and makes Himself known to us in special ways at special times. His presence is our greatest need, but also, our presence with Him is His great desire and delight. We will find, in heaven, that there could have been many more places of intimacy if we had pursued Him more and raised altars as Israel did.

Father, give us Bethel moments. Help us draw near to You and listen. And equip us for the journey ahead with Your promises and power!