Genesis 28:16 — Tuesday, July 28, 2026

Jacob flees from home, tired and alone, and sleeps with a stone for a pillow. In a dream he sees a ladder joining earth and heaven and hears God renew the promises of the covenant. Upon waking, Jacob exclaims: surely the LORD is in this place; and I knew it not. The verse is the surprise of grace: God was present even where Jacob did not expect him. Jacob called that place Bethel, house of God. The text shows that God goes to meet the fugitive, the fearful, and the imperfect. The divine presence does not depend on our merit. Today we are invited to open our eyes to God's presence in our journey. He meets us in the most unexpected moments. When we recognize his presence, even stones become altars.