Returning to Bethel

One Year Bible
Old Testament passage for Monday, January 14, 2013:  Genesis 30:1-31:16

I am the God of Bethel, where you anointed the pillar and where you made a vow to Me. Now arise, get out of this land, and return to the land of your family.’  Genesis 31:13 (NKJV)

God remembers every commitment we ever made to Him.  He remembers those times at the altar when we told Him how we would serve Him.  He remembers our moments of repentance when we vowed to lay down certain things.  He hears our words as we tell Him about our desire to make changes and to live a life of devotion.
Words are very important to God.  He honors His word to us, and He expects us to honor our words to Him.  They are called vows.  David spoke about them a lot.  Psalm 61:8 says, "Then I will ever sing in praise of your name and fulfill my vows day after day." 

Jacob had a life-changing experience at a place called Bethel.  He dreamed of a ladder that reached to the throne of God.  Jacob had an encounter with God.  Now, nearly twenty years later, God reminds him of that moment. 

I think it is important to remember those times when God we had a powerful, life-changing encounter with God.  Remember when He saved you.  Remember when He called your name.  Remember when you began finding His will for your life. 

Jacob had spent his life running.  Now God was telling him to go home.  God was telling him that he needed to return to his roots.  There was unfinished business there, and now it was time for Jacob to return to his inheritance.

God never makes mistakes in our lives.  We may run and hide, but He is faithful.  We may try to back out of our commitments, but He never forgets a vow we have made.  Perhaps its time for you to revisit your own personal Bethel.  It was the place that God met you and spoke to you of His love and call on your life. 

Jacob had lived a difficult life, but now it was time to re-claim his lost identity, his lost family, his lost inheritance.  God wants to do that for each of us.