Genesis 28:15 Yes. I’ll stay with you, I’ll protect you wherever you go, and I’ll bring you back to this very ground. I’ll stick with you until I’ve done everything I promised you.

Jacob was on his way to Canaan to find a wife, but in a way, he was also fleeing from his brother Esau. Driven by the sting of betrayal, Esau vowed to take Jacob’s life in retaliation for his stolen blessing.

Jacob settled in the wilderness, using a stone as a makeshift pillow. He soon fell into a deep sleep and began to dream. In his dream he saw a very long ladder, with angels moving up and down the ladder. Suddenly the Lord appeared to him.

While he was sleeping, Jacob met the Almighty God. In that moment, Jacob’s whole life changed, because when you run into God, you can never be the same again.

And God did not come with accusations. God did not stand there with his arms crossed demanding that Jacob explain how it came about that he had stolen Esau’s birthright. God did not confront him with the twisted plan he and his mother hatched, bringing chaos with it.

No, God came and handed out promises. That is God’s way.

Too often, when an old struggle resurfaces and leaves me face-down in the dirt, I don’t long for God’s presence; I’m actually terrified of it. Why? Because I’m ashamed and afraid that God will shout at me or even chase me away. But I say again, that is not God’s way. He is a loving Father. He cares. He sees the bigger picture. He has a dream for us, and He will not let our crooked way of doing things steal His dream for us.

Even less do our actions deprive us of the blessing that God has in store for us. Wow, that says a lot about who God is and how much He loves us.

So, this promise is for you too. God is with you, no matter what you have already started, whether you have done exactly what God expects of you or followed your own head. God is right there beside you. God will not leave you until He has fulfilled every sweet promise He has made about you. Believe it. Go and live it.

Prayer
Lord, my God, thank you for seeing my crooked life and not letting it stop You from staying with me. Thank you for enduring and continuing to fulfil every sweet promise You speak over me. You are good.

Questions
Where do you experience that God is present with you today?
What holds you back from truly believing in His presence?
What promise do you trust that He will still fulfil?

Now do this
Today, believe again God’s promise that He is with you, even though you may feel ashamed or unsure about your own path.
Say out loud when you’re afraid or discouraged: “God goes with me and He will not leave me.”
Take one small step forward in trust, even if you don’t know how everything will work out, and live as someone who knows that God is walking beside you.