“I am the God of Bethel, where thou anointedst the pillar, and where thou vowedst a vow unto me…” Genesis 31:13

Jacob was at a tough spot in his life. Laban had been mistreating him, and he was preparing to make the huge move of leaving Laban and taking his family back to the land of his birth. God said to him, “I am the God of Bethel…” Why is this significant?

Bethel was the place that God had appeared years earlier to Jacob in a dramatic way. Jacob was running away from Esau’s vengeful eye, which had been caused by Jacob’s own sin and deception. He was alone, running away from all that he had known because of his own foolish ways. But, God appeared to him. That night, Jacob’s life changed forever! The God of Abraham and Isaac revealed Himself to Jacob that night and made great promises to him. And Jacob committed himself to serving God.

Here in Genesis 31, God reminds Jacob in his hour of difficulty, “I am the God of Bethel.” What memories that must have brought to Jacob’s mind! What reminders of the mercy and grace of God! Do you have a Bethel spot? Can you look back and see when God revealed Himself to you? Do you remember when He showed such deep mercy to you? Can you recall times when He has powerfully worked in your life?

Take heart. He is the God of Bethel. The same God who has worked in you in the past will be with you today and in the future. The One who started a good work in you, will be faithful to continue it (Phil. 1:6).