EDEN: 15 - Day Devotional by The Belonging CoSample

This Place - Natalie Herms

Jacob was exhausted from his travels, so he laid down to rest in a deserted area, using a stone for a pillow. As he slept, he had a dream—a vision of a ladder extending from earth to heaven, with angels ascending and descending on it. The Lord appeared at the top of the ladder and spoke to Jacob, reaffirming His promises to him and his descendants. When Jacob awoke, he was astounded, realizing the holiness of the place: “Surely the Lord is in this place, and I did not know it” (Genesis 28:16).

Jacob’s declaration is profound. During a lonely, seemingly insignificant moment, he realized that God was right there with him. This is a powerful reminder that God’s presence is not confined to just a specific place or moment, like a church building or gathering. He is with us in our ordinary, everyday lives. Whether we are at home, at work, or in a season of uncertainty, God is present, and often, we just need to open our eyes to recognize it.

In this vision, God gave Jacob a symbol of the connection between heaven and earth. The ladder was a way for Jacob to see that God was not distant but near - actively at work in the world, and willing to engage with humanity in a real, tangible way. But what Jacob didn’t yet know was that the ladder in his dream pointed forward to something even greater.

In the New Testament, we learn that Jesus is the ultimate ladder. In John 1:51, Jesus says to Nathanael, “Very truly I tell you, you will see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.” Jesus is the bridge between heaven and earth. Through His life, death and resurrection, Jesus enabled us to reestablish our direct relationship with God by overcoming the separation caused by sin. Christ represents the fulfillment of the ladder Jacob saw because He provides us with access to God.

The Father's heart has always been for union with His children. From Eden to the cross, God’s desire has been to dwell with us. In Jesus, God made a way for us to come back into His presence so we can have communion with Him, not just in moments of worship, but in every moment of our lives.

Just like Jacob, we are invited to recognize that “the Lord is in this place”—wherever we are, God is with us. Whether in joy or struggle, in the mundane or the extraordinary, His presence is near. Jesus, the ladder, makes it possible for us to reach God and dwell with Him every day, to experience His love, and to walk with Him in every circumstance. He desires to meet you right where you are. Let that truth transform the way you live today.