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Jacob's Ladder. Gen. XXVIII. 10-23

"This is none other but the house of God; this is the gate of heaven." Thus said Jacob as he awoke from his dream on the stony pillow at Luz (afterward called Bethel). The gate of heaven is nearer to each of us than we think. It is good to remember that God is always near; and this thought should be our guard against yielding to temptation and sin. Our loneliness and times of trial are often the occasions when God manifests Himself nearer and dearer to us, and gives us clearer and more precious views of His purposes concerning us. Jacob's pillow became a pillow of remembrance-a memorial; his lonely resting-place upon the plain, a Bethel-a House of God. Do we set up pillars of remembrance of His mercies to us? Jacob's ladder is emblematic of the way of salvation, which is like a ladder "set up on earth," its top reaching to heaven. Our good works, sincerity, and acts are like rounds or steps by which we hope to reach the heavenly home; these alone will not save us. Our only hope is through Christ. The rounds of a ladder are useless without sides. Let the sides represent Christ. If our desires, intentions, and acts are sanctified by resting in and through Christ, then we have that hope which is as an anchor to the soul, sure and steadfast. Without Christ all will be useless.