God made a pretty incredible promise to Jacob as Jacob was leaving his home and traveling to a place he’d never been to. We all can relate to Jacob’s situation. We all go through seasons of going places, either physically or situationally, that we’ve never been. It’s in these seasons that the promise God made to Jacob resonates the loudest. Here’s what God said: “I will not leave you until I have done what I promised you.” (Gen. 28:15)

God’s promise to be with us is a promise that echoes from here through the rest of the biblical narrative—and it’s a promise in which we all can rest.

Here are 3 reasons why:

1. God’s promise to be with me is not predicated on my actions or obedience.

Here’s what I know about Jacob’s story (and my own story too). Jacob didn’t do everything right. Remember, his name means supplanter or deceiver and Jacob lives up to his name very well. But, God didn’t predicate his presence based on Jacob’s behavior He did so based on His own plan for Jacob. God is working the same way for you and me today!

2. God’s promise to be with me means God really does have a plan for me.

I’m pretty confident that Jacob had no idea that his sons and grandsons would make up the 12 tribes of Israel—but that was God’s plan. You maybe like me, I know some things that God wants to do in my life but I certainly don’t know everything. There are seasons in life when God leaves us to wonder and simply follow Him by faith. God’s promise reminds me that even when I don’t know what God’s doing in my life, God’s not at a loss to HIs plan for me at all. He’s at work—in me.

3. God’s promise to be with me coupled with HIs character reminds me God finishes what He starts.

God wants to be a constant presence in your life and mine but his presence isn’t simply to say He was there. God’s presence is always coupled with his plan. He’s present, he’s at work, and he will complete the work in you and me that He has begun.

You know God is present in your life regardless of whether you sense His presence. You know God is present because He promised to be present. That’s why God promised, “I will never leave you or forsake you.” (Joshua 1:5; Hebrews 15:5)

The Apostle Paul summed it up well:

“And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 1:6, ESV)

As you traverse your day, your week, your life; remember God is here and He always finishes what He’s begun.