Jacob: Owning Your Faith

Genesis 28:10-22

Personal note: Today, we will talk about what it means to own your faith. I challenge parents to share this devo with their believing children. Some may have trusted in Jesus early in their lives, while others later. Ask them—“When did you own your faith?” Today’s story will provide context for that question. 

Let’s start today with a question: When did you own your faith? I’m not asking when you trusted in Jesus. Certainly, that’s where it all began. But when did you have an experience—perhaps a challenge or a great blessing—that turned your simple trust in Jesus into a definite commitment to walk with him? I believe God’s story in Jacob’s life can help clarify our answer. 

Last time we left Jacob and his mother, Rebekah, sharing a brief, final goodbye. After a successful, albeit deceitful, plan to steal his brother’s blessing, Jacob had to flee for his life because Esau had vowed to kill him. Jacob left the comforts of home in Beersheba and began the long journey to find refuge with his mother’s family in the plains of Aram. One can only imagine his emotions as he traveled alone. 

After a few days of travel, Jacob came to a certain place and stopped for the night. He found a stone, and the Hebrew text says, “he put [the stone at] the place of his head.” Most think he used it as a pillow, which could be the case. But in ancient cultures, stones were believed to have magical powers. It’s possible Jacob was using this stone as a symbol of protection. Although he was raised in a home that worshiped Yahweh, it doesn’t seem that Jacob had yet owned his faith in the one true God.[1]

That night, Jacob dreamed there was “a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached heaven” (Gen. 28:12-15). Don’t think of a painter’s ladder, but rather a stone stairway. Jacob saw angels going up and down the stairway. God stood above the stairway and here’s what he said: 

Genesis 28:13-15
“I am the Lord, the God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac. The land on which you lie I will give to you and to your offspring. Your offspring shall be like the dust of the earth, and you shall spread abroad to the west and to the east and to the north and to the south, and in you and your offspring shall all the families of the earth be blessed. Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land. For I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.”

God reaffirms the covenant he made with Abraham and Isaac.[2]  He had promised Abraham and Isaac that their descendants would be as numerous as the stars in the sky. However, here God shifts the metaphor to “the dust of the earth” to convey a vast number. Jacob’s family line would continue as the people through whom Jesus would come. God concludes by assuring Jacob that he will never leave him and will bring him back to the land of promise. 

When Jacob woke up, he responded in worship. This is where I believe Jacob embraced and owned his faith. It became real and personal to him. Let’s break down what he did. 

Jacob acknowledged God’s presence. He said, “Surely the Lord is in this place… How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven” (Gen. 28:16-17). Owning our faith means living with a constant awareness of God’s presence. We move from knowing about God to knowing God, recognizing that our relationship with him is vital to our lives. 

Jacob memorialized the experience. He set up a pillar and anointed it with oil to commemorate God’s visit (Gen. 28:18). He named the place Bethel (Heb: “house of God”) to honor the time and place (Gen. 28:19). I know some people will say, “I have always believed in God.” But keep asking questions. I believe it is important to identify a timestamp when we recognize that we truly own our faith. 

Jacob expressed his faith in God. He said, “If God will be with me and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat and clothing to wear, so that I come again to my father’s house in peace, then the Lord shall be my God” (Gen. 28:20-21). Jacob had been alone, but now God is with him. He is not making a deal with God. He is expressing his trust—believing that God’s promises are true.

Jacob promised a tithe to God (Gen. 28:22). Giving a tithe (“a full tenth”) was Jacob’s way of acknowledging that everything he had belonged to God. When we own our faith, we seek to do something tangible with our time, talents, and treasures.  

So, have you owned your faith? When did that happen for you? What was the catalyst? When did you know your walk with Jesus was real and personal? 

Please share your “owning my faith” moment with our team. It will encourage you when you write it down. It will encourage our team who so faithfully answer your questions.  With your permission, I would like to encourage others by sharing some of your stories in our Weekend Recharge.

PERSONAL TIME WITH GOD

Reading and reflection: Genesis 28:10-22. Can you identify a moment—or season—when you owned your faith personally rather than treating it as something you inherited from your family or church?

Talking to God: Thank God for that moment he allowed you to own your faith. 

Have questions? Please send your questions to our team. We're happy to assist as we explore God's Word together. Submit your question below, and we'll respond soon. If you're interested in learning more about a relationship with Jesus or seeking spiritual guidance, let us help you take the next step. 

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SAVE THE DATE: Bible Immersion trip to Israel: November 4-14, 2026.