# 324 When God "Speaks" To Your Heart

The Book of Genesis

Day 324

Ge 35:1 Then God said to Jacob, "Arise, go up to Bethel and dwell there; and make an altar there to God, who appeared to you when you fled from the face of Esau your brother."

Have you ever said or heard someone else say something like, “the Lord has laid it on my heart…..”  or, “the Lord is leading me to do this or that?” That’s what’s going on here.  God isn’t appearing face to face here. He isn’t even speaking audibly to Jacob. If He were, He would’ve said make an altar to ME rather than “make an altar to GOD.” Do you see the difference?

I mention this so you may have assurance when God speaks to your heart regarding action He desires you to take.  Don’t blow it off! It may very well be God speaking to you inaudibly! He may have something He wants you to do! The bigger question, we should ask when something is laid on our heart, is this: “Is it from our flesh, or is it from God?” Be careful how you answer that because Jer 17:9  warns us "The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it?

The question is easily answered though when we put the action up against the Word of God. If it is contrary to God’s Word, we can write it off as something from our flesh. If the action doesn’t violate God’s Word and if it will bring glory to God, then it’s safe to say, it’s something God has laid on your heart. And if God has laid it on your heart….do it! Make haste as Jacob did!

In Jacob’s case, he likely had this laid upon his heart during a time of intense prayer. Two of his sons have just wiped out a city as they took vengeance on behalf of their sister Dinah who had been raped by Shechem. Jacob was concerned because he and his company have become a stench to the Canaanites and he feels they are in danger of being wiped out, and so he comes to the Lord in prayer: “Lord what should I do?”

Somehow, during this time of prayer, the Lord speaks to Jacob and brings to mind a place of peace and protection which Jacob has experienced in times past. And in the quietness of his heart, the Lord says, “Get off your knees and head to Bethel.” Bethel means “house of God.”  It is in the house of God where Jacob, and you and I will find peace and protection!

There was turmoil swirling all around Jacob at this time in his life, and God lays it on his heart to go back to church. (Bethel, the house of God)  to find peace and protection in the midst of the storm.

Going through some rough waters in your life? Maybe you need to head back to Bethel!