Jacob must have shuddered at the thought! Leave the land where his fathers had sojourned? Dwell among heathen strangers? It was uncharted territory, and it would surely try him. Who ventures into the court of a foreign monarch without anxiety? Yet the way was clearly appointed for him by God. So he resolved to go.

This is exactly where believers often find themselves today—called to face perils and temptations altogether untried. When that season comes for you, imitate Jacob's example. Offer up sacrifices of prayer to God. Seek his direction. Don't take a single step until you have waited upon the Lord for his blessing. Then you will have Jacob's Companion as your friend and helper.

How blessed to feel assured that the Lord is with us in all our ways! He condescends to go down into our humiliations and banishments with us. Even beyond the ocean, our Father's love beams like the sun in its strength. We cannot hesitate to go where Jehovah promises his presence. Even the valley of deathshade grows bright with the radiance of this assurance.

Marching onwards with faith in their God, believers shall have Jacob's promise. They shall be brought up again—whether from the troubles of life or the chambers of death. Jacob's seed came out of Egypt in due time, and so shall all the faithful pass unscathed through the tribulation of life and the terror of death.

Let us exercise Jacob's confidence! "Fear not!" is the Lord's command and his divine encouragement to those who at his bidding are launching upon new seas. The divine presence and preservation forbid so much as one unbelieving fear.

Without our God, we should fear to move. But when he bids us go? Then it becomes dangerous to tarry. Reader, go forward, and fear not!