“I am the LORD
God of Abraham thy father, and the God of Isaac: the land whereon thou liest,
to thee will I give it, and to thy seed; And thy seed shall be as the dust of
the earth, and thou shalt spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the
north, and to the south: and in thee and in thy seed shall all the families of
the earth be blessed. And, behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee in all
places whither thou goest, and will bring thee again into this land; for I will
not leave thee, until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of.”
(Genesis 28:13-15 KJV)
Jacob was enroute to
his Uncle Laban’s home in Syria. And near Beersheba, after sunset, he made camp
and went to sleep. And as he dreamed, a ladder appeared that stretched from
earth to heaven. Heavenly beings climbed up and down this ladder.
his Uncle Laban’s home in Syria. And near Beersheba, after sunset, he made camp
and went to sleep. And as he dreamed, a ladder appeared that stretched from
earth to heaven. Heavenly beings climbed up and down this ladder.
Then suddenly,
Jehovah stood at the ladder’s top rung and spoke to Jacob. Jehovah introduced
himself and explained that he knew Jacob’s father and grandfather. Then Jehovah
gave Jacob the same promise and covenant he had with Isaac and Abraham.
Jehovah stood at the ladder’s top rung and spoke to Jacob. Jehovah introduced
himself and explained that he knew Jacob’s father and grandfather. Then Jehovah
gave Jacob the same promise and covenant he had with Isaac and Abraham.
One of the best
elements of this covenant is this: “I am with you and will protect you
wherever you go.” A promise of land is a great gift. A promise of many
descendants is a great gift. A promise that one will be a blessing to all
inhabitants of the earth is a great gift. Yet, the most
precious gift of all is God’s continuous presence and protection.
elements of this covenant is this: “I am with you and will protect you
wherever you go.” A promise of land is a great gift. A promise of many
descendants is a great gift. A promise that one will be a blessing to all
inhabitants of the earth is a great gift. Yet, the most
precious gift of all is God’s continuous presence and protection.
While we may not
have had a vision like Jacob’s, we may be certain that we have the same promise
of God’s continuous presence and protection (John 14:16). Like Jacob, we are
challenged to believe and receive God’s promise. Of course, our faith is not in
the promise but in the One who promised.
have had a vision like Jacob’s, we may be certain that we have the same promise
of God’s continuous presence and protection (John 14:16). Like Jacob, we are
challenged to believe and receive God’s promise. Of course, our faith is not in
the promise but in the One who promised.
He is faithful to
achieve all he has promised. What confidence to know that God is with us in all
our travels and endeavors! What a comfort to know that he will bring us safely
back to our home base and not leave us
until his promises are all fulfilled.
achieve all he has promised. What confidence to know that God is with us in all
our travels and endeavors! What a comfort to know that he will bring us safely
back to our home base and not leave us
until his promises are all fulfilled.
Dear Father, thank
you for your presence and protection. Empower us with faith and confidence in
who you are and what you promise. This I pray in the name of Jesus. AMEN
you for your presence and protection. Empower us with faith and confidence in
who you are and what you promise. This I pray in the name of Jesus. AMEN
Be strong and
courageous today in God’s precious promises,
courageous today in God’s precious promises,