In 1963, Darryl Hill endured scorn. A wide receiver for the University of Maryland football team, Hill was the first black player to break into the racially segregated Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). Each week, Hill encountered hostile crowds, with some opposing fans dressed in white Ku Klux Klan robes or holding large dangling nooses. During one game at Wake Forest, Hill faced a particularly vitriolic atmosphere. Brian Piccolo, a Wake player, crossed the field to Hill and led him directly in front of the frothing Wake student section. Piccolo wrapped his arm around Hill—and just stood there with him. Almost instantly, the crowd went silent.
Simple presence with another can be a powerful and healing act. But the truth of God’s nearness to His people is something truly stunning and comforting.
Jacob experienced that nearness. Estranged from his family and out in the wilderness on a solitary journey, with no bed to curl up on, Jacob merely “found a stone to rest his head against and lay down to sleep” (Genesis 28:11). What followed was an odd vision from God. Jacob saw stairs leading to heaven with angels moving up and down on them. God stood at the top of the stairs.
His powerful words to Jacob reminded him of his identity. They revealed Jacob’s place in his family’s narrative. God’s words declared the truth that He was the God who had always been with Jacob’s fathers. “I am the Lord, the God of your grandfather Abraham, and the God of your father, Isaac” (v.13). And God assured Jacob, as he slept alone on a rock in the dark night, that He would always be with him as well. Always. “I will not leave you,” God said (v.15).
When we’re alone or tired or despondent, it’s easy to feel like we’ve been left entirely to ourselves. But that’s not true. For God is with us.
More:
• Joshua 1:5
• Hebrews 13:5
Next:
When have you felt most alone? What would the impact have been if you had rested in the fact that God was there with you?
mfpabijan on September 9, 2009 at 6:34 am
we are all alone at night unless we let God in
garymax on September 9, 2009 at 8:07 am
Thanks Winn: I was aware of the friendship of Brian Piccolo and Gayle Sayers with the Chicago Bears but didn’t know Brian had stepped up in college like that. It is inspiring to see that Brian’s character and courage had been so consistent and it is a good example to us all to stand up and be counted for what is right in the face of opposition. May we all have the courage to take a stand for right as God gives us opportunity to do so.
bmi1965 on September 9, 2009 at 9:21 am
This is a very timely word for me and my wife today. This world and it’s trappings often makes us feel like we are in the battle of our lives everyday. It is tough to keep our eyes on the prize and not on our circumstances. The “Footsteps” story is what comes to mind after reading this post. Thank you for sharing.
The G Man on September 9, 2009 at 10:03 pm
Just last night I was alone 330am. Woke up feeling all a lone even with my wife next to me a sleep.I got up and spend about a hour on the sofa.Just talking and listing for Gods voice.Not praying just takling you know talking like to another person and listing.After that hour I felt the present of the Lord and returned to bed at peace
simplejoy on September 10, 2009 at 10:43 am
Very comforting. Thanks.
elisau on September 10, 2009 at 7:45 pm
I often get up in the middle of the night to “spend time with God.” If I can’t sleep I figure their must be a reson for it.
Last week, I got in bed and started praying after a while of working things through I glanced at the clock and saw that it was well past midnight, but I still had supplications to bring before the Lord (I have been doing a lot of intercession for other’s lately.)
Anyways, by 2am I decided I’m not going to sleep so I might as well get out of bed. I read – the Bible and some Christian literature and by the time 6:30 am rolled around and I knew the kids would be getting out of bed I wrapped it up with a quick prayer…
“Lord, please give me the strength to get through this day” (with no sleep) and you know what? I was fine. I took the kids to school, went to work, came home took care of everything and didn’t feel fatigued at all. God sustained me.
Philippians 4:19 And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.