THROUGH THE BIBLE IN THREE YEARS
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
554. The Highest Lesson
Andrew Murray wrote the following anecdote on humility: "The highest lesson a believer has to learn is humility. Oh, that every Christian who seeks to advance in holiness may remember this well! There may be intense consecration and fervent zeal and heavenly experience, and yet, if it is not prevented by dealings of the Lord, there may be an unconscious self-exaltation with it all. Let us not learn the lesson—the highest holiness is the deepest humility; and let us remember that it comes not of itself, but only as it is made a matter of special dealing on the part of our faithful Lord and his faithful servant."
(from Practical Bible Illustrations from Yesterday and Today Copyright © 1996, 1998 by AMG International, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by Permission.)
*********************************************************************************************
Gen 28:16-19
16 And Jacob awaked out of his sleep, and he said, Surely the LORD is in this place; and I knew it not.
17 And he was afraid, and said, How dreadful is this place! this is none other but the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.
18 And Jacob rose up early in the morning, and took the stone that he had put for his pillows, and set it up for a pillar, and poured oil upon the top of it.
19 And he called the name of that place Bethel: but the name of that city was called Luz at the first.
KJV
*********************************************************************************************
"Bethel" means "house of God." What a special place this was to Jacob. What a special place it should be for US!
Do you remember where you first met God? Do you remember the place where you felt His awesome presence and conviction flooded your soul? Was it FEARFUL? Did sin make you feel dreadful? Did the presence of God make you feel humble?
It is natural for man to FEAR the presence of our AWESOME and ALMIGHTY GOD! Yet it is THERE, when we first met God, that He promised His blessing of eternal salvation.
Sometimes it's good to REVISIT our "Bethel!"
Do you remember where you first met God? Do you remember the place when you surrendered all that you were to Jesus, asking Him to make you what He wanted you to be?
It was there, in the leprosy of sin, that God washed you white as snow.
It was there, when your name was dirt, that God wrote you down in the book of life.
It was there, where you were helpless, God gave you His strength.
It was there, when your heart was desperately wicked, God sealed you in His Spirit.
Revisit your "Bethel!"
Love ya,
Bruce