Today’s Reading Genesis 27-30
Focal Scripture: Genesis 28:18-19 “Early in the morning Jacob took the stone that was near his head and set it up as a marker. He poured oil on top of it and named the place Bethel, though previously the city was named Luz.”
God is gracious. When we read this portion of scripture Jacob does not come off as a very good person. He deceives everywhere he goes. His mother also deceived and encouraged deception to the people they care about the most. Nobody would think that Jacob was a standup guy or be chosen for brother/son of the year.
However, God doesn’t look at people the way we do when problems happen. That is a good thing. God knows right when people need to be encountered by him to make a lasting impression. In this story we know that Jacob has left his home to save his life and when he falls asleep he has an encounter with the LORD. This encounter was so powerful and meaningful that when he awoke he had to memorialize the encounter.
If you are a follower of Christ you have moments that are meaningful to you and that you never want to forget. The problem that most people have is that they focus on what God has not done. Don’t be that type of person.
My hope for you today is that whatever struggles you are going through, you will stop and remember where God has impacted your life. These moments are helpful in our walk, because if we are honest being a believer can be difficult. We need to focus on who we know God is and how that is changing us day by day.
Whatever is keeping you from focusing on God today I encourage you to do the following.
- Stop, Rest, and Pray
- Write down the times you clearly heard from God
- Find a way to remember these spiritual markers in your life
- Be encouraged that God is patient even when it is not deserved
Tomorrow I plan on reading Genesis 31-33
