January 10, 2010

Today's reading: Genesis 28, 29, 30; Psalm 10, 40, 70, 100, 130; Proverbs 10

Genesis 28:17, "And he was afraid, and said, How dreadful is this place! this is none other but the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven."

In the days following September 11, 2001 there was an interesting discovery made. While digging through the rubble of the towers a pocket, if you will, was found. It was like a big bubble in all of the rubble. In this pocket there was discovered four (4) crosses in this pocket if memory serves me correctly. If I am wrong I do apologize. These crosses were made up of the steel I-beams that once made up the towers. I saw it on video and it was amazing and I cannot imagine how awesome it was to see it in person. On the outside of this pocket the men wrote in spray paint, "God's House".

The word "dreadful" in our passage today means "fear, morally" (Strong's). I believe that the emergency workers and iron workers in 2001 had an experience somewhat like Jacob of the Old Testament. On September 11, 2001 thousands of people stepped out into eternity in that horrible tragedy. There have been many stories of hope and such that have come out since that day. This place that became known as "The Pile" became somewhat of a holy place to these men and women that worked day and night to rescue and recover their brothers who lost their lives in this horrific tragedy.

Jacob had not experienced such a negative event in his life; but, he still came to a place of awareness of God's presence there where he was. You see Jacob did not have Hebrews 13:5 to remind him that, "I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee". In the Old Testament the Holy Spirit came on someone from time to time. They were not indwelt like we are today. They did not have that luxury like we do today. Yet they knew from the teachings of the Old Testament that God would not leave them nor forsake them.

Jacob had the privilege of God speaking to him in a dream and telling him that He would not leave or forsake him. After Jacob's dream he became very aware that God was there with him.

How we take for granted that God will never leave us or forsake us. We are sinful, unholy, unthankful and unrighteous. Yet, God loves us so much that He gave His Son Jesus to take our place on the cross and die for our sins. What an awesome thought. I hope that you know Jesus Christ as your Saviour and that you have put your faith and trust in Him for your eternal salvation. It is still not too late if you have not. You want to, don't you? Jesus is near and He wants to come and be your Saviour today before it is eternally too late. Wouldn't you like that?