Never Alone

Late one night, my husband, who was in the gas station business at the time, was nearly robbed by someone he thought to be a lone assailant.

After the man’s arrest, Jim learned from the local sheriff that the stranger was a member of a dangerous gang that had wreaked havoc on the neighborhood overnight. Referencing this experience later, Jim told me, “I thought I was all alone during that midnight hour, but now I know God was a lot closer to me than I realized.” A long time ago, another man thought he was all alone. Jacob had deceived his father Isaac and stolen his brother Esau’s inheritance, and now he was fleeing —still empty-handed.

Appearances told Jacob he was a goner.

At dusk on the second day of his flight, he collapsed onto the desert sand, his head on a rock pillow, and fell into an exhausted sleep.

Sometime during the night, Jacob dreamed he saw God at the top of a stairway being used as a ladder, of sorts, by angels. “I am the LORD... I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go... I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you” (Genesis 28:13–15, NIV). What an infusion of hope! God was with him. God cared. Jacob arose, anointed his rock pillow as an altar, and consecrated his future to God: “The LORD will be my God” (verse 21, NIV).

As you face life right now, appearances may be telling you you’re all alone in these uncertain times. If so, do what Jacob did. Trust that God knows your circumstances and your location even if you have not been “aware” of His presence (verse 16).

Admit your inability to save yourself.

Even Jesus, the Son of God, said, “I can do nothing on my own” (John 5:30, NLT). Submit your situation to God in prayer. Then declare, as did Paul, that “I can do all this through him who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:13, NIV).

When Jacob surrendered his circumstances to the One at the top of the staircase, he experienced the promises, provisions, and purposes of God for his life —and for the rest of his life. God wants to reveal Himself to you too.

Not necessarily in a dream at the top of a shining staircase, yet in ways you might never expect. When needed most, Jesus will remind you that you’re never alone (John 14:27). He will meet your needs and fulfill the longings of your heart (Psalms 34:4; 37:4). So today, face life’s challenges by trusting the One who is closer to you than you ever thought possible.

Carolyn Rathbun Sutton