God does not deal with us when we are surrounded by the things that give us security – and when we can shut out conscience. He begins first to wean us from the things that we love, and breaks into our lives despite the long years we may have shut him out.
What takes place when God takes hold of the soul and deals with us. Have you had a Bethel experience? Bethel means ‘the house of God’. You can meet with God anywhere, even in a very lonely place. God met with Jacob in that lonely place. Have we ever had this? Suddenly we realise the bankruptcy of our lives. Previously if Jacob had felt bad, there were lots of things to do, work duties. We do the same when serving the vanity of life; we fill our life with anything. Have you ever had the experience where you have faced deep thoughts, wondering what is this life for? Jacob felt this. All his scheming had got him nowhere. He was able to see his inadequacy. He couldn’t switch it off. How tiny he felt, as night fell under the vast expanse of the open sky. What a precious thing if we can have this. To be alone with yourself, and take on board the idea of the majesty of God. Have you thought about life, about death, wondered about the future? What will life hold for me? Will I ever find God? Today people seldom think about life seriously. What kind of a person am I? How does God see me? We need to have serious moments.
Where can you meet God? Anywhere? Geographically, yes, but spiritually, no. The place does not matter. Jacob was at Bethel, among the stones. What matters is where we are spiritually. God meets with us as individuals at Calvary. There Christ came to suffer the punishment of our sins, if we trust in him. I come to him and I believe he purchased salvation for wretches like me. If you try to meet him while still self-confident – ‘O God here I am’ – he will not listen to you. Some in place very close to suicide. What is the point of life? Others have experienced deep disappointment, heavy loss or threat; they have seen life as it is. Young people may get very down in their minds, and perhaps go to doctor for help. Nine tenths of the time that is not necessarily depression, but they are only really seeing life as it is. Sometimes it is the finger of God; only the Lord can really help you. There is a chill in the soul, and we see are beginning to see our pride and failure.