Scripture Reference: Genesis 28:10-22
The House of God Is a Place Where the Promises of God Are Repeated – Continued
Jacob experienced the Lord’s assurances at Bethel as he heard the promises of God repeated. There are many rich promises in the Word of God. Jesus promises His presence, “Lo, I am with you always” (Matthew 28:20). God promises to meet our need, “My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19). God promised to forgive our sins, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). God promises us strength, saying, “As your days, so shall your strength be” (Deuteronomy 33:25). God promises to answer our prayer, “Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me” (Psalm 50:15). God also promises to take everything and work it together for our good (see Romans 8:28).
When we come to the house of God, the promises of God are reaffirmed in our lives. We are given courage to face whatever tomorrow brings.
The House of God Is a Place Where God’s Presence Is Felt
God said to Jacob, “Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have spoken to you.” Hearing that, Jacob built an altar and poured oil on the rock, for Jacob had experienced the presence of the living God. In the Bible, oil is a symbol of the Holy Spirit. Just as Jacob poured oil on the rock, so the living God had come to be present with Jacob. When we come to the house of God, one of the great things that happens to us is that we experience the presence of God.
Have you ever been in church and as a song was being sung felt the presence of the Holy Spirit? Have you ever been in church and the minister quoted a Scripture or gave some illustration out of the Bible that lifted your heart and soul toward the Father? Have you ever been in a prayer meeting where you knew Jesus was there, and He was speaking to your heart? That’s what happens when we come to the house of God, we feel God’s presence all around us and within us.
A young man one day asked Christ what is the greatest commandment. Jesus responded that we are to love God with all of our hearts, souls, minds, and strength (Mark 12:30). Jesus said that we are to love God first emotionally “with all” of our heart. Then we are to love Him spiritually with our souls. Then we are to love Him intellectually with our minds. Then we are to love God practically with our strength. But loving God begins in our hearts, emotionally, as we feel His presence.
You and I need to get excited about our faith. We need to get enthused about the matter of serving Jesus Christ. Church is a place where we feel the presence of the Lord.
Some men in Ireland were watching a parade. The Christian flag passed in front of them and one said, “Let’s give three cheers for God and the church.” As the Christian flag passed by, they said, “Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!”
An infidel standing by them laughed and said, “Why don’t you give three cheers for hell?” The Christian Irishman looked at him and responded, “Every man ought to be for his own country.” We are excited about Christ and the church. We exclaim, “Praise the Lord! The house of God is a place where God’s presence is felt.”
To Be Continued
FOR THE LOVE OF GOD 
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