I'm not one for forging my own path. My husband is all for abandoning the hiking trail and traipsing off through the woods. Me, not so much. In fact, I'm the kind who will refuse to do so, even if there's something "bright blue and shiny...let's go see!"
For that matter, I don't even like being the one who leads the group on the trail. I've discovered, the hard way, that when you hike early in the morning and you're the first one on the trail, there are prone to be little surprise gifts all along the way...invisible, but sticky, spider webs...just about always at face level. Yuck.
It's true. I'm a sissy hiker. I love to hike and backpack through unknown territory, anxious to see that which I've yet to see. But I rarely hit the trails alone...very.... rarely. And I greatly prefer for someone else to lead the way, to go ahead of me.
And that's why today I pause to thank our God for always going ahead of us.
According to several scriptures in His Word, He always goes ahead of us, as long as we stick to the trail He's cut for us. Even when we have to go into uncharted territory, He is there. He goes before us and yet He is also with us. Amazing.
When Jacob awoke from his sleep, he thought,
"Surely the Lord is in this place, and I was not aware of it."
Genesis 28:11-16
And the Lord was going before them in a pillar of cloud
by day to lead them on the way,
and in a pillar of fire by night to give them light,
that they might travel by day and by night.
Exodus 13:21
"I will send My terror ahead of you,
and throw into confusion all the people among whom you come,
and I will make all of your enemies turn their backs to you."
Exodus 23:27
"It is the Lord your God who will cross ahead of you..."
Deuteronomy 31:3
"Be strong and courageous,
do not be afraid or tremble at them,
for the Lord your God is the one who goes with you.
He will not fail you or forsake you."
Deuteronomy 31:6
And 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
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous!
Do not tremble or be dismayed,
for the Lord your God is with you wherever yo go."
Joshua 1:9
This past week my husband and I have both had circumstances we didn't relish dealing with: phone calls we needed to make but dreaded, conversations we fretted over, confrontations we didn't look forward to, projects we didn't know where to begin on.
You too?
But in every case, we walked forward without one sticky spider web clinging to our faces...know what I mean? God had gone before us, making our path straight, forging the way, clearing out the brush, and protecting us. Not only that, but in many instances, actually every one I can think of, He did something unexpected and miraculous before we even got there.
If you've been on similar cleared paths this week, let's join voices in thanking our good and gracious God for going before us. I am grateful for the path, but not just any path. I'm grateful for the path that has been cleared by my strong and able God. Indeed, we are on a path seldom traveled, but we are not having to forge a new path, my friend. Instead we are on an ancient path. But unlike the ancient paths of Raiders of the Lost Ark fame, ours is clear of spider webs and booby traps. For we have a God who goes before us. Thank you Jesus, because some of us are scaredy cats!
Labels: God is good, narrow path, The Summit
