God Ruled Man

In Genesis 28 Jacob had a dream in which he saw angels ascending and descending upon a ladder stretched from heaven to earth. He heard the voice of God speaking to him. Upon awakening Jacob named the place “Bethel”, meaning—“House of God.” There he made a vow to follow God, and pledged to return a tenth to God of all that God gave to him. Jacob tricked his brother and received the birthright that was due Esau. Then, Jacob outfoxed his father-in-law, who was quite a con himself. Jacob later returned to his own land a very wealthy man. The Lord truly had been with him. Figuratively he was living in Bethel.
Yet, it was God’s second intervention into Jacob’s life which is more profound. In Genesis 32 he wrestles with the Man of God all night. In the end he is broken, disjointed, but determined to know the Man. Jacob’s name, which means—“deceiver”, is changed into “Israel”, meaning—“prince with God”, or “God-ruled man”. Jacob named this place “Peniel”—“Face of God”, for there he met with God face to face. This is the essence of true worship, to seek the face of God, not His hand of blessing. Jacob served the Lord, and sought to be successful, and was blessed abundantly. Living in the house of God, Bethel, is a blessed and wonderful place.
The pursuit of natural and material success never truly satisfies any person. The ultimate pursuit of a one’s life is the face-to-face encounter with God. The pursuit of God Himself ultimately makes “all things” available to the worshipper. Jesus said, “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you shall ask what you desire, and it will be done for you,” (John 15.7). Jesus also said, “Seek first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you,” (Matthew 6.33).
More than being a successful man, a wealthy man, I long to be a true worshipper, who seeks after the face of God, not only His hand of blessing. I desire to be known as Israel—a God-ruled man. I want to have the kind of encounter with God, where my old sinful nature is changed. I want people to see God in me. I want to be a real Christian—like Christ.