Do you ever feel lonely? Do you sometimes think that your problems and pressures are about to overwhelm you? Do you ever wonder where God is? There is good news for you: God is much closer than you know.
As we continue our inspirational series on Abraham, Isaac and Jacob from the first book of the Bible, Genesis, we see it has much relevance for us today. Genesis is an action packed book full of stories about a God who is good, faithful and wants to bless you, your family and every generation. Maybe you especially need to hear today that God loves you, knows you and watches over you.
In Genesis 28, after Jacob received the blessing from his father Isaac, he went from Beersheba to Harran (southeastern Turkey, near Syria today). As night fell, he rested using a stone for a pillow, and had an amazing dream of a stairway rooted on earth with its top touching heaven, with angels going up and down. Above it, the Lord appeared, reiterating the covenantal promises made to Abraham and Isaac, now extending them to Jacob and his descendants. God promised the land on which Jacob was lying, numerous descendants, blessings for all earth’s peoples through him, and divine presence and protection.
When he awoke, Jacob called the place "the house of God" and "the gate of heaven" (Genesis 28:16-17). He took the stone he slept on and set it up as an altar, anointing it with oil, and naming the place Bethel. Jacob then committed himself to God, promising that the Lord would be his God and he would give a tenth of everything he received back to Him. This story not only marks a pivotal moment in Jacob's personal spiritual journey but also in the unfolding narrative of God's covenant with His people.
Today, God is much closer than you know. He is near, even when you are not aware of it (Matthew 4:17). We see:
1. God wants to speak to you while you rest (Genesis 28:10-11; Exodus 3:4; Psalm 30:5; Psalm 34:18; Matthew 11:29; Psalms 46:10)
2. God wants to give you a dream (Genesis 28:12-15; Matthew 6:10; Romans 8:31)
3. God wants you to experience amazing grace (Genesis 28:16-22; Psalm 18:2; 2 Corinthians 3:17; Mark 12:30-31)
Apply
1. God wants to speak to you while you rest (Genesis 28:10-11). Many times we are looking ahead to the future, busy with the daily reality of our lives. Jacob certainly had a lot of drama going on. He’d just received the blessing and promise from his father in questionable circumstances, he’d seriously fallen out with his brother, he’s leaving his home and is on a mission to find a wife. But it is on this journey in the wilderness, at night, when he’s trying to rest in a hard place that God chooses to speak to him. God speaks to us when we simply rest. He speaks to us when we are quiet in ourselves. He speaks in the wilderness seasons (Genesis 28:10). God speaks to Jacob when he is out on his own in the middle of nowhere! It was when he was on his own that he came to know how close God was. This is so often the time we discover that God is with us in a powerful way. This was also Moses’ experience, 40 years in the desert when God appeared to him through the burning bush (Exodus 3:4). The wilderness is the place of preparation. It is the place of character formation. It’s the place where we grow in humility and come to truly recognise our need of God, learning to rely on Him. Maybe you’re not seeing everything you want to see in your life right now. Maybe you haven’t achieved the goals you want to achieve. Maybe you’re not where you thought you’d be. Well good news, you’re in the right place for God to speak to you in a powerful way! He speaks in the dark times (Genesis 28:11). When did God speak to him? It was night. God was close to him in the darkness. We can all go through dark times in life. There can be times in life that are intimidating, where you can’t see the way forward. You can experience fear, heaviness and maybe even depression. But just as day follows night, God’s word gives hope even in the darkest of times (Psalm 30:5). God speaks in the hard times (Genesis 28:11). In the hard times of life, God speaks powerfully (Psalm 34:18). In this hard time, Jacob suddenly realised that God was much closer than he had understood. But he only had this revelation when he was resting. We must also learn to rest to hear the voice of God and to draw near to Him (Matthew 11:29; Psalms 46:10). Today, you need to slow down and listen. Find a quiet place in your heart and find a quiet place. So today, this week, this season, how busy are you? You need to slow down and find rest in your spirit for God to speak to you.
2. God wants to give you a dream. Jacob had a dream that changed his life. God is closer than you know and wants to give you a dream for your life. A dream that is supernatural (Genesis 28:12-13). Whilst he was resting, he had a vision of the glory of God. Angels were all around. God was over all. Heaven was touching earth. Jacob saw the bigger picture that there is a spiritual world outside of our natural experiences. Jesus says we must pray for an experience like this in the Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:10). As believers we need to be launched into a life of visions and dreams. We need a much more spiritual and supernatural mentality (See David Yonggi Cho ‘The Fourth Dimension’ and Pastor Cesar Castellanos 'Dream And You Will Win The World’). Our own pastors in King’s Church International, Pastors Wes & Adriana Richards, constantly encourage us to dream big dreams and believe that God wants to give us the very best in our lives. God is close and He will give you a powerful dream for your life. But for us to receive this dream, we need to be still, we need to rest. When you have a revelation of the greatness and goodness of God you can live with boldness, confidence and purpose. God will give you a dream that is based on a promise (Genesis 28:13-14). Jacob’s dream was of the most amazing partnership, promise, and plan. He had heard this from his father, but now he was hearing it and receiving it in his spirit from God. This is also God’s promise to you. Just as God blessed and multiplied Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, He wants to bless you and your family so that you can flourish in life and be all that you are called to be. God will also give you a dream that shapes your life (Genesis 28:15). Jacob from this point knew that God was with him. He was close and would be with him wherever he went and whatever he faced. You need to have this dream and live with the knowledge that God is with you, He is close, He watches over you and is with you wherever you go. He will not leave you and will do what He has promised (Romans 8:31).
3. God wants you to experience amazing grace. Grace is the unmerited favour of God at work in your life. Jacob’s dream and revelation changed his life. Grace awakened his spirit and changed his perspective (Genesis 28:16-18). This was like Jesus’ disciples’ experience after the resurrection when they walked with Him on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:32). Jacob realised that God was close to him and he wasn’t even aware of it. He realised the hard place was a holy place and God was deeply at work in his life and would be with him every step of the way. Jacob’s whole mentality, perspective and culture changed through this encounter. Grace gave him a spirit of worship (Genesis 28:18-19). He went from sleeping on a rock to realising that the Lord is his Rock (Psalm 18:2). His worry was transformed to worship (2 Corinthians 3:17). Your hard place can become the place of praise and freedom where your vision of God is bigger than your present circumstances. Grace inspired Jacob to give his best (Genesis 28:20-22). Jacob decided to make God the Lord of his life. He was committed to establishing the house of the Lord and decided that, as a sign he will give his best, he will give back to God a tenth of everything he receives. The heart behind the principle of tithing is that we give God our best and seek Him first (Mark 12:30-31). Today, God is much closer than you know. God wants to speak to you, to give you big dreams and visions and for you to see that He is over and above everything. God wants you to have a supernatural encounter so His many promises to you can be fulfilled. Decide to slow down and receive a fresh revelation from God that will change your life forever.