‘Surely The Lord Is In This Place'

 Imminent Presence – Anne Adams

“I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. 

I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.” When Jacob awoke from his sleep, he thought, 

‘Surely the Lord is in this place, and I was not aware of it.’” 

(Gen. 28:15-16 NIV)

Since she was a bit too warm, Sue unbuttoned her coat part way and continued her way further along through the shopping mall. However, soon she noticed that nearby next to a bench, several people were gathered around a man sprawled on the floor.

“He just fainted!" someone told her. 

However, just as Sue stepped nearer, suddenly a man crowded past her.

“I can help him – I just finished a course in first aid,” he announced.

Sue put a hand on his arm. “But maybe I can help...”

 
The guy turned toward her and snapped, “Look, lady – I know what to do...and yes, I know if I can’t help, then I can call a doctor.”

Her response was to stand up and slip off her coat, revealing her scrubs with the embroidered identification. 

“You don’t need to call a doctor,” She told him, “I’m already here.”

In our passage from Genesis, God gave Jacob many promises but also provided something Jacob only realized a bit later - His divine presence.

It’s often the same on my spiritual journey when, like the industrious man Sue encountered in our story, I forge ahead to solve any challenges, assured that I can handle any issue, or meet any problem all by myself. 

And often I can— until I can’t, and my ambition fails. 

I then finally realized I can’t do it alone. 

I must reach out for God’s help. 

And of course, it’s then I realize that he was there all along— for my benefit and his glory.

 
Contact Anne and read more HERE.