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"THE PILLOWS OF GOD'S PROMISES, PRESENCE, AND PROTECTION" "And Jacob went out from Beer-sheba, and went toward Haran.And he lighted upon a certain place, and tarried there all night, because the sun was set; and he took of the stones of that place, and put them for his pillows, and lay down in that place to sleep." (Genesis 28:10-11)After Jacob had stolen his brother Esau’s blessing from their father Isaac, Esau wanted to kill Jacob. To save him, his mother, Rebekah, sent Jacob to her brother Laban, promising to send for him once Esau's anger cooled down. So, Jacob set out on the 450-mile marathon run from Esau. He made it about 70 miles, when he needed to stop and rest. He set up camp in a “certain place” (v.11) There wasn't anything special or holy about this place; it was just a place with dirt and stones. Jacob had no reason to expect anything unusual. However, soon after he fell asleep, with his head on a pillow of stones, God came and spoke to him in a spectacular dream (vs.12-15). From vs. 16-18, we learn when Jacob arose from his sleep, and he sensed the LORD was here, but he didn't realize it. He was somewhat fearful and dreaded this place, nonetheless, he called it the house of God and the gate of Heaven. In the morning, Jacob took the stone he used as pillows, and set is as a pillar and poured oil upon it.Remember now, Jacob had bought Esau's birthright with a bowl of soup. followed by stealing his blessing several years later by deceit. To be sure, Jacob was what we would call today somewhat of a rascal. His name means "supplanter or deceiver," Then, at Beth-el, he had an encounter with God, and it was there, that the blessings by his daddy, Isaac, back in vs 1-4, were the promises of many wonderful things in the future.Once God had expressed His blessings and promises to Jacob, Jacob the rascal, tried to cut a deal with the Lord. You can read those final 3 verses for yourself. But then after Jacob makes this vow, he begins his speech by uttering those 3 words found in v. 20, "IF GOD WILL." (caps mine) To put it down where the rubber meets the road, Jacob was saying to God, if you will. I will. If you bless me, I'll give you (vs. 20 -22). That was total nonsense on Jacob's part.Well, God sure was patient with ole Jacob, wasn't He? And God is more than patient with us as too. He has given us His Pure Promises with a Bounty full of Blessings as great as the ones He gave to Jacob, and yet, we also try to wheel and deal with Him as if He should be grateful that we're alive. And just like Jacob, we more often than not, have our own little IF's when it comes to trusting and serving God. We whisper to ourselves a thought, IF He will, then I will. IF the Lord will do this, then I'll do that. And that is total nonsense on OUR part!You know friends the Lord doesn't want us to be an IFFY kind of Christian. We already have enough of those folks running around making a vow with an IF attached to it. To be sure, we have His Blessed Book filled with the many Pillows of God's Promises, His Presence and His Protection for every day and at every turn where we will find in the Lord Jesus Christ that much needed peaceful rest for our weary spirit. soul, and body till He comes again (1 Thessalonians 5:23).