God, Where Are You?

Surely the Lord is in this place, and I wasn’t even aware of it!

Genesis 28:16 NLT

How had his world collapsed so quickly? Only days before, Jacob had lived a life of security, comfort and ease. Now he was running for his life in an unfamiliar land. Jacob’s brother wanted him dead. Jacob had lied and deceived his father.

Where was God in all of this? Alone and unsure what his future held, Jacob fell asleep on the hard ground.

Dreaming, Jacob saw a stairway reaching from the earth to heaven with angels coming and going on it. At the top stood God Almighty. God declared his good plans for Jacob and Jacob’s descendants. God also assured Jacob he would be with him wherever he went. Upon waking, Jacob exclaimed, Surely the Lord is in this place, and I wasn’t even aware of it (Genesis 28:16)! 

Jesus would later reveal that he was the stairway in Jacob’s dream. I tell you the truth, you will all see heaven open and the angels of God going up and down on the Son of Man (Jesus), the one who is the stairway between heaven and earth (John 1:51 NLT). Jesus is our access to heaven--our only access.

Jacob had made big mistakes and was suffering the consequences. He thought he was all alone, but God had been with him the entire time.

Have you ever wondered where God was in your life? How will the bills get paid? How will I live with this diagnosis? Will the hurt ever go away? Will my children choose the right path? How can I face this person again?

God has been with you all along. As he promised to stay with Jacob, he promises to stay with you. The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid (Deuteronomy 31:8).

Whatever circumstances we face today, let us exclaim with certainty, “Surely God is in this place! We will never be alone.”

Terri