I Am the God of Bethel

I am the God of Bethel, where you anointed a pillar, where you made a vow to Me…”

Genesis 31:13

In my post on August 1^st, I wrote about the Bible Read-Thru program.  The purpose is to “meet with God and hear from Him in His Word.”  Whatever portion of Scripture we are reading, we are encouraged to ask these questions: “What does God reveal about Himself?” and “How can I deepen my relationship with Him?”

 I’m really excited about what God reveals in His Word when I am specifically reading with those questions in mind.  I started reading in Genesis this month, and even though most of the stories are familiar to me, God reveals something that speaks to my heart in each chapter. (If you would like me to email you a copy of the Bible Read-Thru program, you can email me at sjspokane000@gmail.com.)

            I want to share with you an example from chapter 31.  What stood out to me, and what I have been thinking about for several days, is the phrase in verse 13 in which God is speaking to Jacob: “I am the God of Bethel.” Why would that verse stand out?  Good question!  You may know the story of Jacob, the son of Isaac.  In previous chapters, we read that Jacob deceived his blind father by pretending to be his older brother Esau.  Jacob received his father’s blessing and stole Esau’s birthright.  Esau is furious and wants to kill Jacob.  Jacob flees from his home and goes to live with his uncle Laban.  On the way, God spoke to Jacob in a dream and promised to give the land in which he was sleeping to him and his descendants. God also promised not to leave him until He had done what He promised.  Jacob awoke the next morning and set up a stone as a pillar and made a vow that the Lord would be his God.  Jacob called that place Bethel.

            Since that phrase stood out to me, I’ve been asking the question, “Lord, what do you want to say to me about yourself today?  I am the God of ____________.”  The answer that He spoke to my heart was clear: “I am the God of Cathedral Oaks Christian Church in Santa Barbara, California.”  That is where I met God and was introduced to the truth that He wants to have a personal relationship with me.  Even though I had attended church most of my life, I had never heard that.  I grew up with a lot of rules to follow and activities to avoid.  I thought I was pretty good at following those rules, but after receiving Jesus as my Savior, it was clear that outward obedience is not what God wants.  He sees my heart, and my heart was not pleasing to Him.  Rule-following caused me to be judgmental toward the people who don’t follow the rules! 

            I am assured of God’s promises throughout His Word.  Just as God promised to be with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, He is with me.  And all who belong to Him have that same promise, that He will never leave nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5).  I love His promise in Philippians 1:6 NLT:  “I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.”

PERSONAL REFLECTION

If you belong to God, take some moments to remember where you first met Him and received Him as your Lord and Savior. Ask Him to speak to your heart, “I am the God of ____________.”

Thank Him for the work He has begun in you that He promises to complete. Thank Him for His promise to be with you, and never leave you!

If you have not received Him as Your Lord and Savior, you can make that decision.  He loves you and He gave His life to have a forever relationship with you.  Ask Him to forgive your sins of following your own way instead of following Him.  Surrender your life to Him and begin the personal relationship that He desires to share with you.