January 14, 2004

Reading: Genesis 28:10-22

 

"Surely the LORD is in this place, and I did not know it” (16)

 

A cursory reading of the Bible confronts us with some sad situations. Just before Shalmaneser, King of Assyria, defeated Israel and the northern tribes were scattered forever throughout the world, God said, “In returning and rest you shall be saved; In quietness and confidence shall be your strength. But you would not” Isa 30:15. When Jesus stood on the hill overlooking Jerusalem, He cried, “How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing! See! Your house is left to you desolate” Matt 23:37-38. In our reading today, a sad commentary is reported, but on this occasion an individual shares his personal testimony, “Surely the LORD is in this place, and I did not know it.”

Jacob was on his way to Haran to find himself a wife. Here was a young man who thought nothing of deceiving his brother out of his inheritance and whose name itself means ‘Supplanter,’ or Deceiver. There is no doubt that he was raised by his father Isaac in the knowledge of Jehovah as the only true God, and His promises to his grandfather Abraham. From the days of his early childhood he would have heard the story of Abraham and Hagar and of Hagar’s confession, “Thou God seest me” Gen 16:13 (KJV). He would have been taught that God was omnipresent, that there is no place where God is not. While Jacob knew these things in his head, he had not yet accepted them in his heart. When he awoke, after receiving the wonderful dream of the angel-laden ladder descending from God to earth, he said, “Surely the LORD is in this place, and I did not know it.”

This story brings home the reality of the difference between knowing and experiencing the truth. One of the things about the Christian life is the glorious opportunity God has given us to grow and mature in Him. This means that, as we seek to know Him better, knowledge will turn into experience and fact will become reality. Instead of knowing God is everywhere, we believe He is everywhere. No matter where we are or how difficult our situation, we experience His presence with us and draw amazing strength and comfort from the words of Jesus, “I will never leave you nor forsake you” Heb 13:5.

The promise of Jesus is, “Where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them” Matt 18:20. How sad for a Christian to be present at a Bible Study or prayer meeting and to not experience the presence of the Lord. Last evening at a bible study, a young lady said, “I am so aware of the presence of the Lord here this evening.” I am sure every person present accepted by faith that the Lord was there with us, but how many were personally aware of His presence? How sad that some would have to say, “Surely the Lord was present at our bible study, and I did not know it.” The awareness of God’s presence comes only as we surrender ourselves fully to Him.

 

“On our part, there must be surrender to the Spirit of God, for His work is to show us the Father and the Son. If we cooperate with Him in loving obedience, God will manifest Himself to us, and that manifestation will be the difference between a nominal Christian life and a life radiant with the light of His face.” A.W. Tozer, The Pursuit of God.