God Is Closer Than We May Realize

by Zeke Flores

In Genesis 28:16-17, Jacob wakes up from his dream of the ladder and says, "Surely Yahweh is in this place, and I did not know it."

He wasn’t praying. He wasn’t worshiping. He wasn’t even in a good spiritual place. He was running from the consequences of his own deception. Yet God meets him right there.

This moment reminds us that God’s presence isn’t limited to holy spaces or holy moods. He shows up in the middle of our mess, our fear, our confusion, and our running. Sometimes we assume God is far away because we’re not doing well spiritually. But Jacob’s story says otherwise.
God is often closer than we realize. We just don’t recognize Him until after the moment passes.

If you’re in a place where God feels distant, don’t trust that feeling. He may be nearer than you think, working behind the scenes, speaking in ways you haven’t noticed yet. Pay attention. God meets people in unexpected places.

"Surely Yahweh is in this place, and I didn't know it ... How awesome is this place“ (Genesis 28:16-17).