Who travels with you?

If you were able to go on a trip or some sort of outing this summer, who traveled with you? When you go out to the grocery store, the doctor’s office, to work or to run other errands, who accompanies you?

In Genesis 28 we are told a story about Jacob who was on the run from his brother. Jacob had stolen the birthright from Esau, his older brother, and he was fearful of what Esau might do to him. Therefore Jacob was going to run to his uncle Laban. Along the way Jacob stopped for the night and fell asleep. He had a dream and the Lord made this promise, “Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land. For I will not leave you until I have done all that I have promised you. ” (Genesis 28:15).

How then was God present with Jacob? Well, wherever Jacob went he carried with him the promises of God. Furthermore, we learn in the chapters that follow how God was present with Jacob in marriage and family. He blessed Jacob with 12 sons which would become the 12 tribes of Israel. God was present with Jacob even in family troubles as he prepared and meet up with Esau in order to make peace with his brother.

After Jesus had lived a righteous life, died upon a cross, was buried, and rose from the dead, our Lord made a great promise to us, “And behold I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20). Like Jacob, we have a promise. Our Lord has risen and will be with us wherever we go. We can carry that promise with us. God is with us in work, in marriage, in family, in singleness, in conflict, even in our struggles with God. Like the Lord appeared to Jacob by Bethel, so our Lord appears to us in the Divine Service at church. He speaks to us in Holy Scripture. We have God’s presence with us in the Sacrament. He blesses us through the presence of fellow believers. God is with us and He travels with us. Indeed we are richly blessed.

It recently struck me in our readings from 2 Kings how often we are told that on account of the sin of the Israelites, God had withdrawn His presence from them and allowed them to be conquered by their enemies. It is a fearful thing to ponder God withdrawing His presence from us. If God were to do so, and we were left in such a state, we would be lost forever in the torments of eternity.

Thankfully, it need not be that way. Our Lord desires to forgive our sin for He gave His life to cover our sin and grant to us His Divine presence. His forgiveness can cover our guilt. Let the Lord come into your life. Let the promises of His Word speak to you and be with you wherever you go. Let the blessings of His presence in the Sacrament of Holy communion be something you experience regularly. Let the blessings God gives to you through the fellowship of believers in church be something you get to experience. Indeed be blessed abundantly with the promise and the presence of the Lord wherever you go. Our Lord has risen from the dead and whether you travel far away or just down the block, whether you go to work or socialize with friends, whether you gather for a warm and joyful gathering or are meeting in conflict, the Lord will be with you.

Recommit again this Fall to experience the blessings and the presence of God as you receive the presence of His promises in church and in your daily devotions. Recommit this Fall to experience the blessings of the presence of God as you gather in Worship and receive not only His Word, but also the Sacrament where Jesus is really present with us. Recommit this Fall to gather with other believers and be blessed as God is present though other believers and brings His blessings into your life through the body of Christ. May God richly bless you with His presence wherever you may go in the course of this day, week, month, and season.

Pastor Schoenfeld