Jacob is leaving behind everything he knows.  He has been sent by his parents to his mom’s family whom he has never met.  On the way, God speaks to him.  God repeats the promises he made to Abraham and Isaac now to Jacob.  God will give him many offspring who will receive the land.  And more – all the families of the earth will be blessed through him and his offspring.  And then God promises, “Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go” (Genesis 28:15). 

Hundreds of years later, Jacob’s descendent Jesus will die on a cross to save people from their sins.  In this Descendent, truly all the families of the earth are blessed.  And this Descendent issues the same promises to his followers that God gave to Jacob: “Behold, I am with you” (Matthew 28:20). 

God is with us.  In the hustle and bustle of the day.  At work, at school, at home, at the store, on the roads.  In the trials and struggles of life.  In the good times and celebrations of life.  When we go to sleep tonight and when we wake the next morning.  No matter what we face, where we go, or what we do, God is with us.  His presence goes with us.  The Sovereign Creator and Ruler of the world goes with us.  What a comfort and strength this should be to us today!