Originally published Wednesday, 12 April 2017.
There is a huge ravine behind my house. If you make it down without falling or getting caught in a rabbit hole, you'll find yourself at a playground. On most days, my kids longingly stare at it from our kitchen.
On a good sunny day, after rain storms are done and passed, I take the hike with them. As a good mom, or, at least, one who tries to be, I look for everything that could go wrong along the way. If I see a thorn bush, I pull it away before it snags them. If I see a bunch of rocks that may twist their ankle, I lead them in a different direction. If I see a huge ditch that might entrap them, I make sure to lift them over.
I go before my children... My eyes travel the path before them, so harm doesn't as much befall them.
God does the same for us.
No matter what path we walk down, God is one step ahead. The Lord is always going before us. No matter what mountain we come up against, He is already climbing it. No matter what journey of uncertainty we encounter, God is 100 steps further. He's laying out our path and preparing our steps. He's flattening the land and preparing our journey. He's uncovering our gold and laying it out for us.
He sees our way.
Sometimes, it seems, we believe we tread through this world, alone, like little boxcar children, trying to make it to the next meal. I've been thinking, this could not be further from the truth. We are always right next to God's goodness.
Check out all the ways God goes before us:
"The LORD is the one who goes ahead of you; He will be with you He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed." Deuteronomy 31:8
'The LORD your God who goes before you will Himself fight on your behalf...Deuteronomy 1:30
You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head. Psalm 139:5 (NLT)
For the LORD will go before you, And the God of Israel will be your rear guard. Isaiah 52:12
I will go before you and will level the mountains; I will break down gates of bronze and cut through bars of iron. Isaiah 45:2
To Him who led His people through the wilderness, For His lovingkindness is everlasting; Psalm136:16
God is famous for caring and preparing us for greater things. He walks ahead to fight the battles we fear we can't win. He calms the seas we're convinced we can't beat. He softens the blows we worry will take us down. He knows our road. He understands our coming trauma. He knows how to lead us through it.
Do you know what this means? We can worry less.
Just as I opened up the right path for my kids, God is opening the right path for us. It is for good. It will strengthen us. It will help us. It will lead us in the right way. It will lift us above harm.
God is always a step ahead, even when life makes us feel we've been left behind. Be it a marriage that is going under, a financial trial that looks impossible to fix, a baby that never seems to come, an addiction you can't seem to beat, a dream that never surfaces - no matter, he's a step ahead, working on your behalf.
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isa 41:10
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