Pop-Up Reminders by Steve Laman

Pop-Up Reminders
April 1, 2019

Read: Genesis 28:10-22

When Jacob awoke from his sleep, he thought, “Surely the LORD is in this place, and I was not aware of it.” (v. 16 NIV)

We expect to find God when we go to church, a Christian conference, or Sunday school. Yet sometimes God surprises us by showing up in unexpected places. Reminders of his love and goodness can happen at any time. It might be on the job or while relaxing at home. It might be from friends and family, or a stranger. These “pop-up reminders” come regularly in my life, and they probably come in your life too.

God gave Jacob a “pop-up reminder” when his father sent him to find a wife in the area where his mother’s family came from. On his way, he stopped for the night. While he was sleeping God gave him a dream of a stairway reaching from heaven to earth with angels ascending and descending on it. Then he heard the Lord’s voice encouraging him to keep going and assuring him that God would continue the family line through him.

Jacob did not plan to encounter God that night, but the Lord gave him a special reminder. I pray that this set of meditations will help you spot those glimpses of God when they “pop up” in your own life. As we reflect on them, may we say with Jacob, “Surely the LORD was here and I was not aware of it.” —Steve Laman

As you pray, thank the Lord for the reminders of his goodness he has given you.