Side Trip

Jacob messed up big time. He’d tricked his father to get the family inheritance and angered his brother enough to want to kill Jacob. His only ally, his mother, offered one solution: Go to her family in Haran in search of a bride.

Jacob traveled quickly, perhaps too driven by fear to worry about his deceit. When he stopped to sleep at Bethel, God appeared. In the dream of “We are climbing Jacob’s ladder” fame, God repeated Abraham’s promise to Jacob, not to his worrisome twin, Esau.

And look at the promise. Jacob’s methods were wrong, but he desired the right things. He would receive the land as far as he could see and beyond, what today is called the “holy land.” His descendants would be as numerous as the dust of the earth. And all 12 sons would inherit the same promise.

It was if God said, “P.S. Don’t worry about this little side trip. I’m going with you. In fact, you can’t get rid of Me. One day I’ll bring you back to this same place.”

God has promised repeatedly to go with His people. Before Jesus went into heaven, He told His disciples, “And lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world” (Matthew 28:20 KJV). That promise applies to us as well.

How would our lives change if we practiced Jesus’ presence? If we talked to Him as if He sat by our our side? Because He’s there! With Him, like Jacob, we can take on any challenge.

Lord Jesus, I thank you that You go with me everywhere I go, today, tomorrow, and even until the end of the world. May I walk in that confidence and choose to make my life a holy temple for your dwelling. Amen.

Go Deeper — Use your cross reference and concordance to look up the stories in the Bible of other people (like Noah, Moses, Daniel’s three friends, and David for example) that God promised His presence in times of need.