阅读经文 

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。（参创 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。（参创 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，服侍信实的神吧。

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.