For the past several weeks I have focused on the thought of "Potholes On The Marital Highway". I have looked at several subjects centered around the mar-riage of Rachel and Jacob found in the book of Genesis. I will finish my study on this subject with this extremely painful and difficult thought: The Forgotten God. In Genesis chapter 28, Jacob has a major encounter with God. You will recall the passage often refered to as Jacob's ladder. There he experiences God in an awe-some way and there he makes some profound promises to God. However, the next 20 years of Jacob's life goes quickly by with hardly a mention of his relation-ship with God. Chapter 31 gives the command by God to return unto the land of his fathers and kindred. Sadly, this long absence from the presence of God has caused Jacob's family to become involved with idols, strange gods and sexual im-morality. His beloved wife Rachel has stolen her father's idols (Gen. 31:34). In Genesis 35:2 Jacob commands his family to put away the strange gods from a-mong them. Perhaps Jacob and Rachel's marriage and home would have been much different if they had only included God in all their thoughts and plans. Per-haps their children would have turned out differently if they had lived before them in an holy and godly manner. Jacob and Rachel are just like so many parents to-day. They were to involved with the pursuit of material things to become involved in the life of their children. They were to caught up in themselves and the things that made them happy than to have been a godly parent and a proper role model. Without God in one's life there is no anchor and security for the soul. Life's de-cisions are made on the fickle bases of human reasoning and societal influences. Disaster is the logical outcome to a life lived without God and His word. Dedicat-ed and consistent obedience to God is the parent's only hope. Godliness must be- come the norm rather than the exception. Bible reading and prayer must be a daily part of your life if you expect to raise godly children and influence them in their walk with God. Faithful church attendance and worship will go a long way in se-curing your family in an unsecured world. Remember, if you would avoid the many "Potholes On The Marital Highway", then you must without fail keep God in both your heart and home.
