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Return to God His Own, February 28
Genesis 28:16-22
And this stone, which I have set for a pillar, shall be God’s house: and of
all that thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto thee.
Genesis 28:22
.
In accordance with the custom of commemorating important events, Jacob
set up a memorial of God’s mercy, that whenever he should pass that way he
might tarry at this sacred spot to worship the Lord.... With deep gratitude he
repeated the promise that God’s presence would be with him; and then he made
the solemn vow, “If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go,
and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on, so that I come again to my
father’s house in peace; then shall the Lord be my God: and this stone, which I
have set for a pillar, shall be God’s house: and of all that thou shalt give me I
will surely give the tenth upon thee.”
Jacob was not here seeking to make terms with God. The Lord had already
promised him prosperity, and this vow was the outflow of a heart filled with
gratitude for the assurance of God’s love and mercy. Jacob felt that God had
claims upon him which he must acknowledge, and that the special tokens of
divine favor granted him demanded a return. So does every blessing bestowed
upon us call for a response to the Author of all our mercies. The Christian should
often review his past life and recall with gratitude the precious deliverances that
God has wrought for him, supporting him in trial, opening ways before him
when all seemed dark and forbidding, refreshing him when ready to faint. He
should recognize all of them as evidences of the watchcare of heavenly angels.
In view of these innumerable blessings he should often ask, with subdued and
grateful heart, “What shall I render unto the Lord for all His benefits toward
me?” (
Psalm 116:12
).
Our time, our talents, our property, should be sacredly devoted to Him
who has given us these blessings in trust. Whenever a special deliverance is
wrought in our behalf, or new and unexpected favors are granted us, we should
acknowledge God’s goodness, not only by expressing our gratitude in words, but,
like Jacob, by gifts and offerings to His cause. As we are continually receiving
the blessings of God, so we are to be continually giving
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Ibid., 187, 188
.
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