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Heaven Is Open to Us, November 10
And he took of the stones of that place, and put them for his pillows,
and lay down in that place to sleep. And he dreamed.
Genesis 28:11, 12
.
Jacob was afflicted because he had made a mistake in his life. He was
cast down to the very depths. Alone, weary, dispirited, tortured by the
recollections of his past errors, and overwhelmed with apprehensions for the
future, he laid him down to rest, his head pillowed upon a stone. Had Jacob’s
conscience been clear, his heart would have been strong in God. But he knew
his present perplexities, his fears and trials, were in consequence of his sins.
This reflection is what embittered his life. Jacob was repentant, yet he did
not feel easy under the wrong he had done. Through tribulation and through
physical and mental suffering he could only have hope to find his way again
to the favor of God.
He lay down in sadness, with a heavy heart, repenting and yet fearing. He
expected that new trials would meet him on the morrow as he pursued his
weary way.
There was no friend nigh to speak a comforting word to Jacob, no one
to tell him he had in his sincere repentance done what he could. But God’s
eye was upon His servant. He sent His angels to reveal to him a ladder of
brightness reaching from the earth to the highest heavens, and the angels
of God ascending and descending upon this glorious ladder, which showed
Jacob the connection and intercourse constantly going on between the two
worlds. When Jacob awoke his difficulties had not vanished entirely, but he
had such confidence in God that he was comforted. In humble gratitude of
heart he adores his Saviour and especially honors even his stony pillow.
Oh, the wonderful condescension of God! He is ever ready to meet us,
even in our infirmities, and to encourage us by His presence, when we have
done all on our part to make an entire surrender to Him. Heaven is open to
man. God will be entreated to do these things for us. The future may seem
dark before you, but God lives....
Break down every barrier and let the Saviour into your heart. Let self die.
Surrender your will and die to self now, just now, and leave God to make your
way for you.—
Letter 29, November 10, 1879
, to Edson White.
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