Faith Sees The Invisible God In Our Times of Need

Faith Sees The Invisible God In Our Time of Need

Jacob came to a desert place and in his sorrow, loneliness, and despair he slept on the sand with a  rock for a pillow. While he slept the Lord appeared to him in a dream and gave him some wonderful promises. These promises were received by faith. 

What does the Scripture say to us about faith?  “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”  “Without faith it is impossible to please God.  For he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.”  “For we walk by faith and not by sight.”  Hebrews 11:1,6; II Corinthians 5:7

Jacob had to receive God’s promises by faith.

Faith sees God’s hand of blessing in spite of the moments of pain and seasons of sorrow.

Faith sees God’s promises in spite of the present darkness.

Faith sees God’s presence in spite of His apparent absence.

Faith sees the purposes of God in spite of the clouds of confusion.

Faith sees Heaven in spite of the present Hell.

Faith sees that God’s way is best in spite of unanswered questions.

Faith perseveres in spite of the temptation to quit and turn back.

Faith encourages us to walk with God in spite of every obstacle that hinders us or deters us.

A number of years ago I was meditating on this biblical story and wrote these words in poetic verse.

         Jacob’s Ladder

It was a dark and lonely place

Where I had walked with God.

I fell asleep beneath the stars,

And dreamed upon the sod.

I saw a ladder reach the skies

With angels coming down.

And heard the most angelic cries,

And glory shone around.

I dreamed the ladder was the Lord,

The only way to grace.

And if I trust His holy Word,

I may behold His face.

The place became a holy shrine

And filled my heart with fears.

I lost all sense of space and time,

And wept with joyful tears.

The night was black and filled with stars

The ladder flamed with light,

Its steps were glowing golden bars,

That led up out of sight.

I longed to climb upon those stairs

That lead to heaven’s King.

To come before Him unawares,

To hear His angels sing.

But soon I woke up from my dreams 

And marveled at this place.

How awesome is this God who seems,

To leave without a trace.

I looked around in loneliness

And felt a bitter pain.

I saw His kingly comeliness,

The beauty of His reign.

But now beneath the stars of night,

I stood there all alone.

And dreamed of that great holy sight, 

Whose ladder leads to home.

For surely God is in this place,

But I had known it not.

Except the ladder of His grace,

Reached down and touched this spot.

And now I walk on sacred ground,

With pillows made of stone.

For now Bethel I have found,

The ladder leads to home.

Robert L. Dickie, Jr.

Jacob's encounter with God at Bethel was the turning point in his life. Have you had such an encounter with God? It is only when we are willing to meet God in the desert places of our lives will we have a Bethel type experience.

God bless you all,

Pastor Dickie