Text : Genesis . 28 vv 12-15

In this passage we have God’s Promise of His Presence, Providence, Prosperity, Power, Protection and the fulfillment of His Plan and Purpose. Jacob, lonely, fearful, desperate, uncertain, of his future, far away from home has his "Encounter With God" on a stony moorland as we read in verses 12-15

A spectacular dream is unfolded before us. A stairway resting on earth with its top reaching heaven and the angels of God were ascending and descending on it. There above stood the Lord and said:

(v. 13) "I am the Lord, the God of your father Abraham, and the God of Isaac. I will give you and your descendants the land on which you are lying.

God reveals Himself as the God of Yesterday, Today, and Forever and His Plan for all. His presence is with all generations as His providence is for all everywhere.

(v. 14) "Your descendants will be like the dust of the earth, and you will spread out to the west and to the east, to the north and to the south. All the peoples will be blessed by you and your offspring. "

God promises His blessings of prosperity and power to Jacob and to his decendants in all the world.

(v. 15) "I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go and will bring you back to this land."

God assures us of His protection at all times and everywhere we go - our going out and our coming in.

God will fulfill all His Promise of the 5 P’s in His Plan and Purpose.

1. As we focus our mind on this scenario, the Mystic Ladder is none other than Jesus Christ, our Saviour. He descended to our frail humanity as the Son of Man, and conquered the works of satan, set us free from all bondage and curses, paying the penalty with His precious blood shed on the cross. By His death, resurrection, and ascension He has opened the gate of heaven. He is seated on the throne of God. He is the Way by which we the sons and daughters of ignorance and darkness can pass upward to the eternal light and love.

2. Where are we today? It maybe on a moorland waste, in a humble hut, or in a lonely room or in a crowded city or lying on a bed of pain in a hospital ward: Wherever you are Jesus finds you and comes to you just where you are. Transmit to Him all your burdens of sin, pain, fear, loneliness, uncertainty for He cares for you as He has promised Jacob and all his descendants. There is always a linking ladder between ourselves and Heaven; and God’s angels are still passing to and fro bringing blessings down and taking our burdens to God. Let us wait at the foot of the ladder to claim our share in blessings which they bring to earth.

3. Jesus says (John 14:6) "I am the Way, the Truth and the Life; no one comes to the Father except by me." A powerful piece of scripture and profound truth. No one can go to heaven or have eternal life except through the Saviour. You are saved by faith in Jesus Christ. The whole world needs Jesus; the Christian community needs Jesus; you and I need Jesus. In (John.1:51) Jesus tells Nathaniel (one of the disciples) "Truly I assure you all, you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending of the Son of Man." This scripture is fulfilled when Jesus started His ministry for John the Baptist testified that he saw the Spirit of God descend as a dove from heaven upon Jesus (In. 1:32).

4. Let us complete the story of Jacob and follow him to heaven !

(Gen. 28 v.16) – Jacob acknowledges God’s presence: "Amen, the Lord is in this place and I did not know it."

(v. 17 ) – Jacob experiences the real presence of God: "How awesome a place. This is no other than God’s house. This is the gate of heaven."

(v. 18 ) – Jacob responds to God’s presence and dedicates himself to God.

5. In our weakest point or moment God meets us in Jesus Christ as in the Story of Jacob's Ladder . He knows our foolish ways, our sinful ways: yet He loves us, forgives us as soon as we repent. Our encounter with Jesus is the fulfilment of God's Plan and Purpose for us. The Mystic Ladder is a Reality. May we attain life eternal and salvation and enter into the eternal kingdom through Jesus Christ. Amen.

RUTH ALEXANDER