Rev. Dr. Diane M.
Hoffmann
Message -- June 11, 2017
An Unexpected Meeting
(Adapted from “Songs in a Strange Land, by Charles R.
Hembre)
Scripture Reading: Genesis
28:10-13
10 And Jacob went out from Beersheba, and went toward Haran.11 And he lighted upon a certain place, and tarried there all night, because the sun was set; and he took of the stones of that place, and put them for his pillows, and lay down in that place to sleep.
12 And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: and behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it.
13 And, behold, the Lord stood above it, and said, I am the Lord God of Abraham thy father, and the God of Isaac: the land whereon thou liest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed;
Key verse: Genesis 28:13
May the Lord bless
His words to your hearts this morning. . .
In 1844, a man by the name of Charles Goodyear -- after
whose name the Goodyear Tire company was named – was seeking to learn how to
keep rubber from becoming soft when warm and brittle when cold.
He was an American self-taught chemist and manufacturing
engineer who developed vulcanized rubber (for which he received patent number
3633 from the United States Patent Office on June 15, 1844.
One night by accident, he left a piece of rubber
smeared with sulphur near a hot stove. The next morning he found a remarkable change
had taken place -- this was the solution he had been seeking…
This unexpected discovery ushered in a new industry called
“vulcanizing”, which all happened unexpectedly by accident. Many inventions have come along this way
unexpectedly by accident.
One of the greatest experience of Jacob’s life was an
unexpected meeting with God.
While fleeing from his brother Esau, he suddenly found
himself in the very sanctuary of God.
There, God gave him a promise that he would never forget.
This unexpected meeting would bless him for the rest of his days.
Today, Jesus Christ is our promise-giver, and
promise-keeper, who came – not unexpectedly – but was prophesied all along
throughout the Old Testament…
But, the thrilling thing about knowing Christ is that,
often, He reveals Himself to us when we least expect it. He gives us blessings greater than we
anticipate.
These exciting meetings can happen during prayer, while
walking down the street, while meditating, working, or any other time…
“And, behold, the Lord stood above it, and said, I am the
Lord God of Abraham your father, and the God of Isaac: the land whereon you
lie, to you will I give it, and to your seed.” (Key v.13)
As our minds are stayed on Him, suddenly He is there, with
us, and we feel a richness not known by those in the world who don’t know Him.
In closing, I would
like to read from the book of Numbers, chapter 6:24-26. . .
25 The Lord make his face shine upon you, and be gracious unto you:
26 The Lord lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace.
Let us sing our last song this morning,
“I’ll Fly Away”
/dmh