Everywhere the Gate of Heaven
God's presence is everywhere, and we can access Him through prayer, confession, and the help of ascending angels.
John Henry Jowett preaches about Jacob's encounter with God in an unlikely place, highlighting how God is present everywhere, even in the darkest moments of our lives when we may try to forget Him. Jacob's realization that 'Surely the Lord is in this place, and I knew it not' serves as a reminder that God's presence is constant and that there is no corner of the earth cut off from His vigilance. Despite our shortcomings and sins, there is always a way for us to reach God through prayer, confession, and seeking His mercy.
Text
"_Surely the Lord is in this place, and I knew it not._"
--GENESIS xxviii. 10-22.
That is the first time for many a day that Jacob had named the name of
God. In all the dark story of his wicked intrigue the name of God is never
mentioned. Jacob wanted to forget God! God would be a disturbing presence!
But here he encounters Him in a dream, and in the most unlikely place.
"And he was afraid, and said, How dreadful is this place!"
Jacob had yet to learn that there is everywhere "a ladder set up on the
earth and the top of it reaches to heaven." There was a ladder from the
very tent in which he wore his deceptive skin. There was a ladder from the
secret place where he and his mother wove their mischievous plot. There is
no corner of earth which is cut away from the Divine vigilance. God gets
at us everywhere.
But there is a merciful side to all this. If the ladder be everywhere, and
God can get at us, then also everywhere we can get at God. There are
"ascending angels" who will carry our confessions, our prayers, our sighs
and mournings, to the very heart of the eternally gracious God.
Sermon Outline
- The Presence of God
- The Universality of God's Presence
- The Accessibility of God
- The ladder of prayer and confession
- Ascending angels carry our prayers to God
Key Quotes
“Surely the Lord is in this place, and I knew it not.” — John Henry Jowett
“There is everywhere a ladder set up on the earth and the top of it reaches to heaven.” — John Henry Jowett
“God gets at us everywhere.” — John Henry Jowett
Application Points
- We should seek to encounter God's presence in our lives through prayer and confession.
- We should recognize that God's presence is everywhere, and He can get at us in any situation.
- We should use the means of prayer and confession to access God's presence and experience His mercy.