God’s Surprising Presence

Daily Reflection / Produced by The High Calling

Then Jacob awoke from his sleep and said, "Surely the LORD is in this place, and I wasn't even aware of it!"

Genesis 28:16

Have you ever had an experience like that of Jacob? I'm not thinking so much of his dream as I am of his surprised recognition that "the Lord is in this place, and I wasn't even aware of it." Sometimes God's presence is hidden from us, either because of God's sovereign choice or because of our own lack of perception. In those times it can feel as if God is not with us. We might even doubt him or his goodness. Yet, like Jacob, when we look back, we can see the unmistakable signs that allow us to say "the Lord is in this place, and I wasn't even aware of it."

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION: Can you remember a time when you came to realize that God had been present in your life in a surprising way? How is God present in your life right now in ways you might easily overlook?

PRAYER: Thank you, gracious God, for being with us. Thank you for being with us even in times when we can't perceive you. Thank you for the joy of looking back upon our lives and seeing your surprising presence in dark and dry places.

Help us to live this day with the confidence that you are with us. Give us eyes to see what you are doing, so that we might join in your work. Amen.

Calling & Vocation (Overview)

Article

Explore what the Bible says about God's calling and your work.

God’s Purposes for Your Work - Tom Lutz

Making It Work Podcast

We explore what the Bible has to say about the purpose of your work with guest Tom Lutz.

What Does the Bible Say About Wealth and Provision? (Overview)

Article

The Bible offers guidance for a Christian view of wealth and how wealth can be used for God's redemptive purposes.

How to Make the Right Decision (Devotional)

Devotional

Biblical decision-making principles for tough situations at work.

10 Key Points About Work in the Bible Every Christian Should Know

Article

10 key points from the Bible give a foundation for Christians asking what the Bible says about our work.

Life for Leaders Daily Devotional

Life for Leaders Daily Devotional

Donate

Every resource on our site was made possible through the financial support of people like you. With your gift of any size, you’ll enable us to continue equipping Christians with high-quality biblically-based content.

Bookstore

Copyright

Contributors: Mark D. Roberts
Published by The High Calling, March 24, 2008. Image by Cindee Snider Re . Used with Permission.

Theology of Work Project Online Materials by The High Calling are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

You are free to share (to copy, distribute and transmit the work), and remix (to adapt the work), under the condition that you must give appropriate credit to The High Calling, provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made. You should not suggest in any way that The High Calling or Theology of Work endorses you or your use of the work.

© 2008 by The High Calling and the Theology of Work Project, Inc.

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.