As Jacob lay under the stars while away from home that first night, he was alone with his own thoughts. No doubt he reflected on all that had happened.

Perhaps he asked himself, Was it really worthwhile? Will I ever return to claim the birthright and blessing for which I schemed and that I successfully obtained?

This seems to be when Jacob experienced true conversion. One can know truth about God, as Jacob knew the truth, but not be identified with it.

I, too, was reared in a godly home and knew much truth about God. I had learned the catechism and had been baptized, but it was not until five years later that I understood the truth of regeneration and received Christ as my Saviour.

Jacob suddenly realized that God knew all about him. God knew about his meanness, crookedness and scheming. But God also knew that deep within his heart he was longing for spiritual realities; therefore, He undertook to mold Jacob's life to the praise of His glory.

God knew every detail about Jacob's life, and He knows every detail about your life.

He knows the good things, and He knows the ugly things. He knows when you are putting on a front--acting like you are something that you are really not. He knows whether or not you are genuine--how much of what you say is really the truth.

"Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do" (Heb. 4:13).