I Will Never Leave You

I wonder what what going through Jacob’s mind as gathered a rock or two for a pillow, while the sun was going down. Did he replay in his mind the events of the past few weeks? Of how his mother had called him in one day and told him of a sneaky plan. Jacob already had the birthright…. now he would get the blessing which was rightfully his brother’s. Did he remember of how he had gone in to his father’s room with the goatskins on his arms, wearing his brother’s clothes. Surely his emotions of that time came to his mind. Had he felt nervous, excited, guilty? As laid down on those rocks, did his mind replay the triumph he must have felt as he left his father’s tent, owning the blessing? (Or did he feel triumph?) Surely, it must have come to mind when his mother had come to him, “Quick… you must flee – your brother wants to kill you! Go to my father’s house until your brother’s anger has settled down!”
I sometimes wonder what Jacob might have been thinking as he laid his head down on the rocky pillow. Was his heart breaking because he was fleeing his family – was he wondering if he’d see his mother again? Was he fearful that his brother might one day yet find him and kill him? Was there any anger? Was he sorry for what he had done, or was he mad at Esau for causing this disruption in his life? Did he even wonder if God would still care about him? Or did he wonder if God might not be with him after all this?
I don’t know. But I do know that God came to comfort him that night!
God reminded him that he was the God of his fathers. He also reminded him of the promise that he had given Abraham – that he would have many, many descendants and in him all the families of the earth would be blessed (ie a Savior would come from the nation that would come from him!)
He also reminded Jacob – “I am here with you. I will keep you and guard and protect you, like a shepherd does for his sheep. And, know this Jacob, I will never, ever leave you.”
I love that. Sometimes when life leaves us tired and weary – whether it is because of our own sin and mistakes, or just circumstances in life – we can know this promise. We can know that our Shepherd is looking out for us. He is providing and guiding our steps. He is alert to the enemy’s attacks, to the struggles in our heart. He will protect and guard over us.
And – no matter what I do, what sin I commit, what mistake I make, how many times I stumble and fall – My Shepherd will be there. His strong arms will carry me through – blessing, teaching, guiding…. In the darkest of times and in the brightest of times I can look up and see his face, know his nearness.
Whatever was going through Jacob’s mind as he fell asleep, he no doubt woke up a new man. He could take comfort in his ever-present shepherd! As God never changes, this, too, is my comfort!

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