SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                               1263

“He Goes Before You”

It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.” – Deuteronomy 31:8

Life in this world is eventful to say the least. These events can be challenging, paralyzing, energizing, and exhilarating depending upon our outlook and spiritual mindset.

None of these events come as a surprise to God since He is eternal and beyond the time construct of His creation.

But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. – 2 Peter 3:8

Every moment of every day – every event that we are or will be faced with in this life has been written in God’s book before we were formed in our mother’s womb.

Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them. – Psalm 139:16

As a born-again believer in Jesus, I take great comfort in knowing that He has already gone before me to face the events that lie ahead of me.

I will go before you and make the crooked places straight; I will break in pieces the gates of bronze And cut the bars of iron. – Isaiah 45:2 (NKJV)

As if that were not enough, Jesus also promises to go with us as we abide in Him and walk the paths of life ahead of us.

I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. – John 15:5

What are the ‘unknowns’ that lie on the path of life ahead of you? Career choice? Marriage? College? Military? Medical procedure? Learning to drive a car? First time on an airplane? Job interview? School and professional certification exams? Judicial court proceedings? …

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. – Isaiah 41:10

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. – Psalm 23:4

God’s Word takes it even one step further with another promise that He will not leave us or forsake us as we walk the path ahead of us.

A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. – Proverbs 18:24

God’s Word says that He will never abandon us in the middle of the trial we are walking through. Jesus is that ‘friend that sticks closer than a brother’.

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go; For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, “Fear not, I am the one who helps you.”- Joshua 1:9; Isaiah 41:13

May you rejoice in the presence of the Lord as you face the events of each new day with confidence in Him, knowing that He has already walked the path ahead of you and He will take your hand and walk it again with you. He will never leave you or forsake you.

Rejoice in the Lord always; again, I will say, rejoice. …. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. – Philippians 4:4-7