Bethel, a Place of Vision and Renewal

And he (Abram) journeyed as far as Bethel, to the place where his tent had been at the beginning ... to the place where he had made an altar at the first; and there Abram called on the name of the Lord. (Gen. 13:3-4)

Gen. 12:8-13:4; I Kings 8:46-50; Ps. 78:34-35; Isa. 30:15 and 55:7; Lk. 15:15-20; I Pet. 2:25

Note: This is the only time in the course of writing First Light that the author uses the same key verse. The devotional thoughts for April 22 are based on the same text. The passage made a profound impression. The author does not hesitate to direct the reader's attention to this portion of Scripture again, hoping its repetition will bring a similar blessing to you.

What Is God Saying?

God laid his hand on Abram in Ur. Abram responded. Israel's long history began. Abram made sure that God was his highest priority. Wherever he went he built an altar to God as a tangible symbol of his faith in God. Those were bright and memorable days. God made a covenant with him. He and his family were blessed in order to be a blessing. God was very real to Abram. He talked with God, believed His promises, and enjoyed a simple life of trust and obedience. Bethel was a hallowed spot and became an indelible and happy memory.

Then hunger drove him down to Egypt where he ran into trouble. He was tormented by fear and insecurity. He became more focused on saving his own life than on doing God's will. Shaken in spirit but preserved in life, he was driven out of Egypt, not without the shame and embarrassment that is often the fruit of disobedience. He then thought of his first love and the God who blessed him at Bethel. Bethel would be for him the place of beginning again. ‘He returned to the place where he had made an altar at the first, and there he called on the name of the Lord.’

How Does This Apply To Us?

As Christians, most of us can remember the days of simple faith and trusting love, when Jesus, our Lord, was very real and near. We responded to His call freely and fully. We heard His voice through the Scriptures. We felt the burdens of worry and trivial goals lifted. The road ahead beckoned and we had the eagerness and strength to follow our Master wherever He would lead.

Perhaps it is not so simple now. The road has detours. There are tempting and confusing alternate routes. Doubts and fears, like low-lying fog, may bring our faltering feet to a halt, but there is still a Bethel. The same God who met us there is waiting for us to return in simple faith and trust. It will never be in vain that we call upon the name of the Lord.

Pray With Me

Lord, I would have the wisdom and faith of Abram. He had grown rich in material things. He had faltered in Egypt, but he returned to Bethel. He came back to the place of vision and worship and prayer. We cannot recreate the conditions that once opened the windows of Heaven. In our spiritual pilgrimage, we are encouraged to forget what has happened and strain forward to what lies ahead. Yet there is that first love, O Lord, that we should never forget and never leave behind.

Precious Lord and living Spirit, lead me back to that place where began my journey of faith. Bring me back to the place where I first built an altar to the memory of Your love and grace. In that place, with Abram of old, never in vain will it be that I call upon the name of the Lord, even my Lord, Jesus Christ.

In faith, in gratitude and, above all, in love, I do so now. Amen.

Moving On In The Life of Prayer

• Every time we pause in life's pressures, and lift our hearts in prayer, we return to Bethel.

• Every time we bring our wounded spirits to find healing in God's faithful love, we return to Bethel.

• Every time we are truly sorry and ask for the help of Jesus to live a productive and peaceful life, we return to Bethel.

Every honest prayer is a return to Bethel. Come to prayer in that way. Then leave to go God's way with God's blessing.