Seeking God in a Stack of WorkSample

Stuck With Me

“I’m going to build an altar there to the God who answered me when I was in trouble and has stuck with me everywhere I’ve gone since.” (Gen 35:3)

Have you ever found yourself in a season where you feel utterly lost in the midst of life's journey?

Perhaps it seems like failure after failure relentlessly pummels you. You stumble, rise up again, only to fall once more. It's a cycle of falling and getting back up, falling again, and repeating the process.

Let me tell you, this is not an unfamiliar experience. Even Jacob, in his own journey, encountered such challenges. His adventure commenced when he fled from his home to escape the wrath of his brother, Esau. He stepped out of his comfort zone and embarked on a path filled with uncertainty. (You can read from Genesis 28-35, to refresh yourself of Jacob’s story).

During his flight, God revealed Himself to Jacob in a dream. Jacob witnessed a remarkable sight—a staircase connecting heaven and earth, with angels ascending and descending upon it. In that divine encounter, God made a promise to Jacob, assuring him of His constant presence and watchful care. When Jacob awoke, he was captivated by the overwhelming presence of the Lord and named the place Bethel, meaning the House of God.

However, Jacob's life did not magically become smooth sailing from that point onward. He found himself seeking refuge in Laban's household, only to face the cunning schemes of his shrewd father-in-law. Even after he managed to escape Laban's grip, Jacob had to confront the possibility of reconciliation or revenge with his estranged brother, Esau. And just when he thought the troubles were behind him, his own sons stirred up trouble in Shechem, putting them at risk of retaliation from an entire tribe.

Does this sound all too familiar? Indeed, it resonates deeply with the challenges we encounter in our own lives.

Have you ever experienced the weariness that comes from years of trying and praying, yet still feeling squeezed and downcast in your current state? Perhaps hardship upon hardship has relentlessly battered your spirit.

It could be that your career appears stagnant, or you find yourself desperately seeking employment while financial resources dwindle. Maybe you pray fervently for the salvation of your loved ones, but signs of assurance seem distant. Relationships with your partner or family may constantly face challenges. Perhaps you carry the weight of a significant mistake from the past, burdening your shoulders to this very day.

In such moments, it is only natural and human to feel exhausted and hopeless. Hope may dim, and a sense of being lost in life can set in. Questions swirl in your mind: Will tomorrow be better? Am I destined to remain trapped in this state forever? Can a better life be possible? Where are the dreams I once prayed and hoped for?

But it is precisely at this juncture that the Lord called Jacob: “Go back to Bethel. Stay there and build an altar to the God who revealed himself to you when you were running for your life from your brother Esau.”

Pause and reflect on how God has been watching over you. Remember what He has done for you. God has not changed; His love remains unwavering. The God who has been watching over you and will walk with you now and in the days to come.

So, Jacob remembered, and he said: “.....the God who answered me when I was in trouble and has stuck with me everywhere I’ve gone since.”

Yes, he acknowledged that God has stuck with him everywhere!

Therefore, recall the example of Jacob, who carried the Lord's presence wherever he went. No matter the difficulties you face or the disorientation you feel, return to Bethel—the place where you first encountered God. The God who stands beside you, never abandoning you, always watching over you, is unchanging, regardless of the challenges before you.

He is always stuck with you.