Hijacked By God
Opening Prayer
Draw near to God now in prayer and worship, knowing he has promised that he will draw near to you.
Read Genesis 28:10-22
[10] Jacob left Beersheba and set out for Harran. [11] When he reached a certain place, he stopped for the night because the sun had set. Taking one of the stones there, he put it under his head and lay down to sleep. [12] He had a dream in which he saw a stairway resting on the earth, with its top reaching to heaven, and the angels of God were ascending and descending on it. [13] There above it stood the LORD, and he said: “I am the LORD, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac. I will give you and your descendants the land on which you are lying. [14] Your descendants will be like the dust of the earth, and you will spread out to the west and to the east, to the north and to the south. All peoples on earth will be blessed through you and your offspring. [15] I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.” [16] When Jacob awoke from his sleep, he thought, “Surely the LORD is in this place, and I was not aware of it.” [17] He was afraid and said, “How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God; this is the gate of heaven.” [18] Early the next morning Jacob took the stone he had placed under his head and set it up as a pillar and poured oil on top of it. [19] He called that place Bethel, though the city used to be called Luz. [20] Then Jacob made a vow, saying, “If God will be with me and will watch over me on this journey I am taking and will give me food to eat and clothes to wear [21] so that I return safely to my father’s household, then the LORD will be my God [22] and this stone that I have set up as a pillar will be God’s house, and of all that you give me I will give you a tenth.” Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.
Reflect
What promise did God make here? How is it familiar?This surely is one of the Bible’s most evocative passages. A solitary man on the run wanders into a wilderness just as night falls. The back story is not promising: family relations are under severe stress due to his gross deception. And without apparently seeking God, he is found by him while asleep. No rebuke or correction follows, rather a declaration of promise and blessing. This is a strange jumble of spiritual experience. God takes the initiative, seizes the moment and surprises us. It’s a pattern seen throughout the Bible. Jesus tells the story of a father who has been wronged but is generously lavish to his returning son (Luke 15:11-32). Later in the New Testament the apostle Paul sums up the Christian message like this: “While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom. 5:8). He meets us when we least expect him and offers us hope. “Where can I go to get away from your Spirit? Where can I run from you?” (Psa. 139:7 NCV). Whatever your plans for today, remember that God is already there and waiting to surprise you.
Apply
How has God met you in a special or surprising way recently? Thank God for his constant presence with you.
Closing prayer
Lord, I know You’re with me always, just as You promised. May I be aware of Your presence and be thankful.
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