Trusting His presence
What’s more, I am with you, and I will protect you wherever you go. One day I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have finished giving you everything I have promised you.” Then Jacob awoke from his sleep and said, “Surely the Lord is in this place, and I wasn’t even aware of it!” But he was also afraid and said, “What an awesome place this is! It is none other than the house of God, the very gateway to heaven!” The next morning Jacob got up very early. He took the stone he had rested his head against, and he set it upright as a memorial pillar. Then he poured olive oil over it. He named that place Bethel (which means “house of God”). Genesis 28:15-19
God promised His unfailing presence to those that trusted Him. The text provided one of those assurances made by God. This promise was given to Jacob during the time when he was pursued by Esau because he lost his birthright to Jacob. God also gave a promise of His unfailing presence to Joshua. “No one will be able to stand against you as long as you live. For I will be with you as I was with Moses. I will not fail you or abandon you” (Joshua 1:5). The Israelites also received such promise from God so that He would be able to establish the greatness of His Name to all the nations in the world. “The Lord will not abandon his people, because that would dishonor his great name. For it has pleased the Lord to make you his very own people” (1 Samuel 12:22). One of those assurances that God gave was provided to those who are in need of His provisions. This promise continued to reveal the compassionate heart of God. “When the poor and needy search for water and there is none, and their tongues are parched from thirst, then I, the Lord, will answer them. I, the God of Israel, will never abandon them” (Isaiah 41:17). It matters that your faith is anchored in your trust to God. It is based on the fact that as a child of God you know that He will not abandon you. You know that you are precious in His sight that whatever challenge you will face you can be assured of His presence. “Don’t love money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you” (Hebrews 13:5). God will never forsake you. The Apostle Paul was convinced about this truth that after he cited several possibilities that will try to persuade you otherwise, he said “nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:39). So when you go in His name and live the new life He gave you always depend on His leading and His presence. “And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20).
Blessings.
