Genesis 35:15
And Jacob named the place Bethel (which means “house of God”), because God had spoken to him there.
God called Jacob back to a place I’m sure he had heard of before. No doubt his father had passed down the story from his grandfather, Abraham, and his encounter with God at this place called Bethel. It was the place in Canaan where Abraham first arrived and where he offered up the first sacrifice to God in this land God had called him to. Now, God was calling Jacob back home to this same place.
Jacob had been a stranger in a foreign land long enough, and, although he had experienced God’s blessing there, God was calling Jacob back home to Bethel. Jacob knew that he had certainly arrived at this place called Bethel when he heard God’s voice there for himself. It was one thing to hear about this place from someone else, but it was another thing to experience God’s voice and presence firsthand.
So, “Where is God?”, one might ask. He’s at the place where His voice is speaking and heard. I appreciate other ministers and preachers, but I’ve learned through the years that God isn’t in everything that’s being said. In fact, there are a lot of things that are said at times by well-meaning preachers and teachers that God isn’t in at all. Sadly, many set up their alters there and worship where God isn’t even present. They place more value on tradition than truth and Jesus called that “the blind leading the blind.”
Real truth for us is found in the Gospel of Grace. That’s the age in which we are in, and all who delve into the powerful Gospel find Sozo Salvaiton in their lives. A complete Salvation, that not only gets you to heaven when you die, but helps you experience the full and abundant life Jesus talked about in John 10:10.
Truth has a certain ring to it, and when you hear it you know it. That’s the “ring” of home and there’s really no place like it. It’s a place of comfort that you can sink into and relax yourself. It’s what sets the Gospel of Grace apart from any other message, because the Gospel of Grace isn’t about what you “can or need to do for God,” instead it’s all about what He has already done for you. It’s into this place of Grace that God wants to get as many people as possible. He wants a full house, filled with people from all walks of life, who will grow in the Grace and Knowledge of Jesus Christ.
Today, let me encourage you to find that place called “home,” and there take off all the burden of religious demands and relax and rest in His presence.