有时候我们无法完全明白一件事，直到事后才了解。
许多年前雅各逃命的时候，他在伯特利经历了神的异象（创 28:10-22）。他听到神的应许，无论他往何处神都会看顾他。后来，当雅各返回故乡，又一次遇见了神，接受了新的身份：以色列，“一个与神较力的人”，却得了祝福（创 32:22-32）。
现在，当雅各带领家人返回伯特利，在神面前敬拜和更新的时候，这两次的经历汇聚在一起。从前，雅各对神的经历是单独、个人的。现在，他将神信实的见证传与家人，召他们也要为悔改和信心争战。
或许你也和雅各一样，与神经历了漫长而曲折的旅程。或许你总能感觉到神在那里，事后才发现神是多么的信实。尽管我们有罪，总是算计，但神总是乐意饶恕，随时祝福谦卑来到祂面前的人，接受他们在基督里靠恩典得到的新身份。
如果你遇见了神，经历了祂的信实，你是否准备好分享祂恩典的故事？今天就来邀请他人和你一起敬拜，服事信实的神吧。
主啊，求赐给我们好奇的心，好叫我们明白你的信实。主啊，更新我们。奉耶稣的名，阿们。
创世记 35:1-15
1神对雅各说：“起来，上伯特利去，住在那里。要在那里筑一座坛给神，就是你逃避你哥哥以扫的时候向你显现的那位。”
2雅各就对他家中的人并一切与他同在的人说：“你们要除掉你们中间的外邦神，也要自洁，更换衣裳。
3我们要起来，上伯特利去，在那里我要筑一座坛给神，就是在我遭难的日子应允我的祷告，在我行的路上保佑我的那位。”
4他们就把外邦人的神像和他们耳朵上的环子交给雅各，雅各都藏在示剑那里的橡树底下。
5他们便起行前往，神使那周围城邑的人都甚惊惧，就不追赶雅各的众子了。
6于是雅各和一切与他同在的人到了迦南地的路斯，就是伯特利。
7他在那里筑了一座坛，就给那地方起名叫伊勒伯特利，因为他逃避他哥哥的时候，神在那里向他显现。
8利百加的奶母底波拉死了，就葬在伯特利下边橡树底下，那棵树名叫亚伦巴古。
9雅各从巴旦亚兰回来，神又向他显现，赐福于他，
10且对他说：“你的名原是雅各，从今以后不要再叫雅各，要叫以色列。”这样，他就改名叫以色列。
11神又对他说：“我是全能的神。你要生养众多，将来有一族和多国的民从你而生，又有君王从你而出。
12我所赐给亚伯拉罕和以撒的地，我要赐给你与你的后裔。”
13神就从那与雅各说话的地方升上去了。
14雅各便在那里立了一根石柱，在柱子上奠酒，浇油。
15雅各就给那地方起名叫伯特利。
"I will build an altar to God . . . who has been with me wherever I have gone." - Genesis 35:3
Sometimes we don't fully understand an event until we have the wisdom of hindsight.
Many years earlier, as he fled for his life, Jacob had experienced a vision of God at Bethel (Genesis 28:10-22). He had heard God's promise to watch over him wherever he would go. Then later, while returning to his homeland, Jacob again encountered God and received a new identity: Israel, "one who wrestles with God" yet receives blessing (Genesis 32:22-32).
Now both experiences come together as Jacob leads his family back to Bethel for a time of worship and renewal before God. Previously Jacob's experiences of God were solitary and personal. Now he shares his testimony of God's faithfulness with his household, calling them to wrestle with repentance and faith too.
Perhaps you, like Jacob, have had a long and roundabout journey with God. Maybe you always sensed that God was there, but then in hindsight you have seen how faithful God has been. In spite of our sins and scheming ways, God always proves ready to forgive and bless anyone who comes humbly before him, receiving their new identity given by grace through Christ.
If you have met God and experienced his faithfulness, are you ready to share the story of his grace? Invite others to join you in worship and service to the faithful God today.
Lord, give us a sense of wonder so that we may comprehend your faithfulness to us. Renew us, Lord. In Jesus' name, Amen.
诵读: 骆云秀
片头: 张妙阳
