The sea, dry land, winter cold, summer heat, morning light, evening shade are full of thee. God gives them richly to enjoy.
Puritan Prayer
Sitting at the breakfast table almost twelve years ago, my mother was busying herself at the sink as I sat at the table talking to Dad. I was asking about Jacob. Dad backed up to Abraham. To hear my dad tell a story is to have shared in the event itself. He makes it come alive. He leaned in as he was reaching the best part, “It became personal, Sis. Isaac and Jacob had encounters where they met the God of their fathers. It must become personal to each generation.”
In Genesis 28:10-23, Jacob lays down on a stone and has a dream. He sees angels descending and ascending up and down this majestic ladder. At the top, he sees the Lord standing above it, and the Lord promises to give him the land where he rests.
When Jacob woke, he set up the stone, poured oil over it, and named the place Bethel, which means “House of God.” Jacob had met God. He had an encounter with him. Although encounters affect our lives and change is evident, it won’t last if we don’t apply what the Lord has done in our hearts.
Jacob makes God a promise. He tells him, “If you will be with me, and keep me in this way that I am going and give me bread to eat and clothing to put on so that I come back to my father’s house in peace, then the Lord shall be my God” (Genesis 28:20-21).
Many years later, God keeps his promise. After working for his Uncle Laban, Jacob leaves, heading back to his father’s house; during the night, Jacob wrestles with God and makes a powerful statement; he says, “I won’t let you go until you bless me.” God Changes his name to Israel and blesses him (Genesis 32:22-32). Jacob refused to let go. Do we hold that tightly to God and all of His promises?
My mother, drying her hands at the sink, quickly interjected, “God so desires to bless His people. Hold tightly to Him. Call Him on His word. I have seen His faithfulness to your daddy and me over our lives. He will do the same for you.”
Dad finishes by saying, “Abraham carried the promise, Isaac was the promise, and Jacob was transformed into the promise—and here’s the best part,” he continues. Jacob makes another altar, but this time he calls it El Bethel, which means God of the house. With tears in his eyes, he expounded, It’s never enough for it to be the house of God; He must be God of the house.”
I am familiar with where I grew up. I could travel the road with my eyes closed. I could walk through the old house and know which cupboard held Mom’s pots and pans. I could make it out to the barn without ever being shown around. Are we that familiar with God’s house? Does he have direct access to the ladder of my heart, to all the secret places that need house cleaning? Until He becomes God of the house, the house of God will have little impact. It must be personal.
If I can do it with my own strength and figure out everything in my mind, I leave no room for God to do something amazing.
– Unknown
When Chuck and I first married, I took a magnet off my mother’s refrigerator. It had a scripture on it that I needed. Genesis 31:49, “May the Lord watch between us while we are absent from one another.” Whether Chuck was just going to the office or traveling around the world on assignment, I always knew God would bring him safely home to me. I took what was in her house and applied it to my own. I had seen the effects of prayer and a steadfast life produced by my parents. I knew that’s what I wanted for my home.
Looking back now, almost twelve years later, I can say God has been faithful to me. He has become God of the house—not just my physical address but of my heart. He takes first place. He is my best friend, the one I can communicate with all day and who takes my cares and makes life carefree.
It was a beautiful day. The sun was shining, and the temperature was warm for January. I decided it was the perfect day for arts and crafts by the creek. I herded everyone down to the creek. The dogs jumped, played, and went fishing for rocks while we took marshmallows and toothpicks to compile “Jacobs Ladder.” It was unstable at best but deliciously edible. To hear them tell me tidbits about Jacob laying his head upon a rock and angels going up and down the ladder and recognizing that Jesus stood at the top and brought heaven to earth to prove Himself to Jacob, were moments by the creek that will last a lifetime.
The next morning, I was awakened by creaking in the hall. I arise long before the sun, trying to steal a few minutes alone to read my Bible. This morning, I must have been behind schedule. I looked up; Charlotte and Eva stood in the hallway, carrying their “Mr. Elephants.” I looked down and asked why they were up so early. They told me it was time to go upstairs, get my tea, and read my Bible. It was time to hold tightly to the promises of God and refuse to let go until He showed up. They knew I was characterized by climbing the ladder to the place of solitude with the Lord. They knew He was – God of the House.
May the God of Abraham bless you…and give you the blessing of Abraham. Genesis 28:3&4
