Day 17: The Staircase Revisited

Scripture Focus:

"Put away the foreign gods that are among you, purify yourselves, and change your garments. Then let us arise and go up to Beit-El; and I will make an altar there to God, who answered me in the day of my distress and has been with me in the way which I have gone."

—Genesis 35:2-3

A Call to Return to the Staircase

Ya’akov had a wonderful first encounter with the Holy One at the staircase to heaven.

So did I.

So, I trust, did you.

But after that glorious first encounter…
life happened.

Things got complicated.

First Encounters… and Then Life

It always seems to work this way, doesn’t it?

First encounters are beautiful.
But life follows with its difficulties.
And then we find ourselves needing another encounter.

Over time, our love song to the Creator changes.

At first, it is all about how He smiled upon us from the top of the staircase.

But later, our song gains a chorus:
A sweet refrain of how He has:

Walked with us
Stood by us
Loved us faithfully
Preserved our destiny

Even when we were not pursuing Him.

Even when we were distracted by the world.

Ya’akov’s Journey of Grace

Ya’akov, once a frightened young man on the run,
could now tell stories of:

Surviving under his controlling uncle Lavan
Returning home and seeing Esav’s heart melt instead of seeking revenge

His testimony was one of fierce, unceasing Covenant Love.

And yet…

Even after all the miracles—
he and his family had picked up things
that were pulling them away from the Holy One.

Three Things That Pull Us Away

1️⃣ Foreign gods
The false priorities of Torah-less civilizations confuse us
about what life is truly about.

2️⃣ Uncleanness
When we immerse ourselves in unclean thoughts, words, and appetites,
we grow so accustomed to impurity that holiness feels foreign.

3️⃣ Soiled Garments
The beautiful robes of honor He gave us become:

Stained by self-serving religion
Tainted by compromise
Covered with double standards

A Time to Return to the Staircase

Look at yourself, Old Friend.

There comes a time when we must go back to the staircase,
look up longingly,
and plead for the King to make us new again.

Prayer for the Journey

Oh My King,
Cleanse me—I am undone!

Awestruck Heart Challenge #17

Recognize and remove every trace of:
- False gods
- Uncleanness
- Soiled garments
Refresh your vision of the True God.
Ask Him to inspect you for any remaining impurity.
Allow Him to clothe you again in garments of honor
worthy of sons and daughters of the King.

Awestruck Heart Exercise #17

Read:
- Isaiah 44:21-23
- Isaiah 55:1-9
Examine Yourself:
- What aspects of worldly culture have crept into your thinking?
- What have you accepted as "normal" that His Word calls "unclean"?
Reflect:
- If He shined His brilliant light upon your garments today,
  what stains would He find there?
  - What have you allowed to soil your purity?
  - Whose blood is on your hands from hurtful words or actions?
Read & Meditate:
- Revelation 3:14-22
Tell the King:

HOLY KING!

HERE I AM—BACK AT THE STAIRCASE,
LONGING FOR ANOTHER GLIMPSE OF YOUR GLORY
AND ANOTHER BEAUTIFUL WORD FROM YOUR LIPS.

THIS TIME IT IS NOT YOU SEEKING ME—IT IS ME SEEKING YOU!

AND I AM DESPERATE—

FOR I HAVE GOTTEN TOO CLOSE TO FOREIGN GODS,
AND I HAVE BECOME TOO FAMILIAR WITH UNCLEAN SPIRITS,
AND I HAVE TAKEN OFF THE BEAUTIFUL GARMENTS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS
YOU HAD MADE FOR ME,
AND PUT ON FILTHY GARMENTS FROM THE WORLDLY CULTURE
I HAVE IMMERSED MYSELF IN.

I TURN FROM THEM ALL!

WASH ME, CLEANSE ME, CREATE IN ME A CLEAN HEART!

AND I WILL PUT ON AGAIN THE BEAUTIFUL, HOLY GARMENTS
OF THE SONS AND DAUGHTERS OF THE KING!

Final Reflection

First encounters are beautiful.
But the real beauty is in every encounter after that.

Every time He calls us back,
He reminds us:

You are still Mine.

Will you come back to the Staircase today?

Remnant Revived - Reflections

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September 06, 2020