“Behold, I am with you, and will keep you, wherever you go, and will bring you again into this land. For I will not leave you until I have done that which I have spoken of to you.” Genesis 28:15 WEB

Jacob had set out on a journey. He stopped after sunset and found a rock to lay his head on to rest for the night. While he slept, Jacob dreamed of a ladder that rested on Earth and extended into heaven. He saw angels ascending and descending the ladder and above them stood God.

God’s Promise

In the dream, the Lord gave Jacob the same promise that was given to Abraham. God promised the land that Jacob was in would be given to his descendants, that they would spread out in every direction, and through his offspring all the people of the world would be blessed. Additionally, God comforted Jacob with a promise saying, “I am with you.” This promise encouraged Jacob to endure difficulty as the Lord fulfilled his promise of a homeland for Jacob’s descendants.  

Then, God gave another promise, to keep Jacob and bring him again to the land in which he slept. The Lord assured that he would not leave Jacob until the promise was fulfilled. This was important because Jacob had just left his home and entered a strange place alone. Without the reassurance of God, it would have been easy for Jacob to get off track. He could easily get overwhelmed and become fearful. But God had a plan and Jacob had received it.

The Promise of Christ

Jesus Christ gives those of us who follow him a similar promise. In Matthew 28:19-20 Christ instructs and assures us, “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I commanded you. Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Amen. WEB”

Yesterday’s Devotional: Build One Another Up