“Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for there I will make you into a great nation. I myself will go down with you to Egypt, and I will also bring you up again.” Genesis 46:3–4
Jacob must have shuddered at the thought of leaving the land of his father’s sojourning, and dwelling among heathen strangers. It was a new scene, and likely to be a trying one: who shall venture among couriers of a foreign monarch without anxiety? Yet the way was evidently appointed for him, and therefore he resolved to go.
This is frequently the position of believers now: They are called to perils and temptations altogether untried, and at such seasons let them imitate Jacob’s example by offering sacrifices of prayer unto God, and seeking his direction. Let them not take a step until they have waited upon the Lord for his blessing—then they will have Jacob’s companion to be their friend and helper.
How blessed to feel assured that the Lord is with us in all our ways, and condescends to go down into our humiliations and banishments with us! Even beyond the ocean our Father’s love beams like the sun in its strength. We cannot hesitate to go where Jehovah promises his presence—even the valley of deathshade grows bright with the radiance of this assurance.
Marching onward with faith in their God, believers shall have Jacob’s promise. They shall be brought up again, whether it be from the troubles of life or the chambers of death. Jacob’s seed came out of Egypt in due time, and so shall all the faithful pass unscathed through the tribulation of life, and the terror of death.
Let us exercise Jacob’s confidence. “Do not be afraid,” is the Lord’s command and his divine encouragement to those who at his bidding are launching upon new seas, the divine presence and preservation forbid so much as one unbelieving fear. Without our God, we should fear to move—but when he bids us to, it would be dangerous to tarry. Reader, go forward, and fear not.
Adapted from Morning and Evening.
