I am the God of Bethel • Deshen Daily

I am the God of Bethel, where thou anointedst the pillar, and where thou vowedst a vow unto me: now arise, get thee out from this land, and return unto the land of thy kindred. (Genesis 31:13, KJV)

Reflect for a moment: when did you last have a profound encounter with God? The Bible recounts a pivotal moment in Jacob’s journey with God—a lesson for us all.

Amid family strife in Canaan, Jacob set off to Padan Aram as directed by his parents to choose a wife from his mother’s kin. En route, God appeared to him in a dream at Bethel, where Jacob marked the encounter by erecting a pillar and anointing it with oil.

Fast forward twenty years: Jacob, after enduring challenging times with Laban, was returning to his father Isaac in Canaan. Then, God reminded him, “I am the God of Bethel, where thou anointedst the pillar.” This was not just a reminder of the place but of a significant spiritual milestone.

Jacob’s transformative dream occurred in Bethel. What about your significant encounter with God? It might have been through a prophetic message, a dream, a Biblical revelation, or a vision. It certainly does not have to be in Bethel or Jerusalem, but it could be wherever you live. For example, I remember a memorable experience in Chicago, where the Spirit told my heart that He wanted to show Jesus to me in His Word. In a related encounter in Doula, Cameron(my home country), the Lord spoke to me about my ministry so powerfully through a prophet 20 years ago.

These encounters with God are not mere moments but foundational experiences shaping our faith and future. Perhaps for you, God is echoing, “I am the God of…”. He hasn’t forgotten that encounter, promise, or prophetic word.