Monday, January 12, 2009

Bethel - Emmanuel

Focus verses: Genesis 28:10-22

AARRGGHH!! Don't we ever learn?

Today's reading is full of egos, self-seeking and deceptions. Deceit has had serious consequences in the past and will again in this instance.

However - and this is a big however -- when Jacob obeys his father's directive to go to Paddan Aram to seek a wife, he sets his feet on a righteous path once again. And he is rewarded by this dream and promise from God.

"Surely the Lord is in this place."

Whether we are aware of it or not, God is with us. Day in and day out, He stands with us. It is our disobedience that builds a wall between Him and us. It's our wall. It is built brick by brick of little rejections of His call upon our lives.

Do you notice? God's promise to Jacob is not predicated upon his apology for his deceptions. It carries no contingencies. It is full, complete, absolute.

God knows and we are learning that every action carries within itself the seed of its own reward or punishment. That is called consequences.

But our God is omnipresent - present everywhere at once. With us, beside us, within us if we let Him be.

A few weeks ago we were singing "O come, O come, Immanuel." That's nice at advent and Christmas. But it's redundant. He has come. He is with us. Let us rejoice in His presence.

Father, God,
Help us to be ever mindful of Your presence with us. Teach us to rely on You at every moment.
In Jesus' most precious name.
Amen

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