God spoke to Israel in visions of the night and said, “Jacob, Jacob.” And he said, “Here I am.” Genesis 46:2
This didn’t happen every day. The last time it happened was in Genesis 35:15. Jacob’s wife Rachel had died giving birth to Benjamin, but more than twenty years had passed since then. All we know of these years is that Jacob had been absorbed in his sorrows (37:35).
Now that his life had taken an unexpected turn, Jacob felt his need for God. He went to Beersheba, and he worshiped. Then he went to sleep and God spoke to him in visions of the night.
God may not speak to you in visions of the night, but there is a principle here for you. When you draw near to God, He will draw near to you (Jas. 4:8). God says, “You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart” (Jer. 29:13). You come in your need to God, you draw near to Him, and here is the promise: He will draw near to you.
How does God give Jacob strength to face the difficult journey ahead? In visions of the night, God revealed Himself to Jacob, and Jacob found strength in who God is. When everything is changing, you need to know that God is always the same.
“I am God, the God of your father” (46:3). Jacob, everything is changing for you, but I never change. I am the God of Abraham and the God of Isaac. You are living in a different day and a different time, but I never change. I am the same God. Jacob, I guarded and kept Abraham, I guarded and kept Isaac, and I will guard and keep you.
Will you take God at His promise today? Will you draw near to Him, trusting that He will draw near to you and give you the stability you need to face the future?
