HIS PRESENCE
26th Jan 2022
I was very moved recently reading the life of Jacob, his encounters with God and what was said to him.
First, he is running away to Uncle Laban to escape Esau’s murderous rage, he sleeps on stones at Bethel and God appears to him in a dream. God introduces Himself, “I am the Lord…. I will give you and your descendants the land on which you are lying…..I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.” Jacob was terrified and exclaimed, “Incredible, wonderful, holy - this is none other than the house of God; this in the gate of heaven.” Genesis 28:13-15)
Second, he had a hard time with tricky Uncle Laban. Worked for 14 years, had to marry both daughters Leah and Rachel, had his wages changed over and over; hard graft in every area of life. But God speaks to him and repeats the words, “I will be with you.” (Genesis 31:3)
Third, Much later he set out to travel to Egypt to meet up with Joseph. He again has a vision at night and God says, “I will go down to Egypt with you, and I will surely bring you back again. And Joseph’s own hand will close your eyes” (Genesis 46:4)
Fourth, Seventeen years later he is an old man, still in Egypt and he knows he is near to death and calls Joseph so that he can bless him and his sons, but also to give instructions about the funeral and where his is to be buried. (Genesis 49:29-32)
God fulfils His word to bring him back to the land where his remains join Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Rebecca and Leah in the cave of Machpelah.
He wasn’t promised a trouble free life, but God promised he wouldn’t leave him, and that presence which brought about blessing was visible to others and never left him. What a story!
I was singing this morning, “No never alone, no never alone, He promised never to leave me, never to leave me alone.” Also, “I’m not alone for my Father is with me, with me where’ve I go. Speaking words of faith, and courage and of love; He’s with me He loves me wherever I go.”
May the presence of God be an increasing reality, may you know His help, His guidance, His blessing, His faithfulness and His encouragement - moment by moment.
by Joyce Sibthorpe
