Jacob was on his own.

His father had sent him away from home to go find a wife.

He was completely alone in the northwest Mesopotamian countryside, at the mercy of God and the elements.

We can imagine how tired he must have felt as he pulled a rock close to him and lay his head down to go to sleep.

Suddenly, “he had a dream in which he saw a stairway resting on the earth, with its top reaching to heaven, and the angels of God were ascending and descending on it” (Genesis 28:12 NIV).

The Lord Himself stood at the top of the ladder, calling Abraham and Isaac — Jacob’s grandfather and father — by name. As Jacob dreamed, the Lord proclaimed a blessing: he would inherit the land he lay upon. He would also have many children who would populate and bless the earth.

God saved the best part of Jacob’s blessing for last.

“I am with you,” He promised. “I will watch over you wherever you go… I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised” (Genesis 28:15 NIV).

Imagine how Jacob must have felt upon waking!

He wasn’t alone; God promised to be with him!

The promises God made to Jacob hold true for us today. No matter where we go, we can confidently say “the Lord is in this place.” We are never alone.