God goes Ahead of Me

The two previous posts give us a look inside God’s heart and allow us to see His passion for us, His children. But they are both passive character traits that encourage our faith and trust but don’t necessarily move us off center. Today’s post does just that. But I have to warn you, God’s patience has limits as you’ll see below.

In the formative days of our country

and for many years following, there were those adventurous souls who forged trails west for others to follow. We’ve heard stories of Daniel Boone, Kit Carson, Teddy Roosevelt and others. All pioneers with courage and foresight. Today, God takes His encouragement to us to the next level by His “pioneering” spirit.

Deut. 1:30 “The Lord your God who goes before you will Himself fight on your behalf.”

Deut. 31:8 “The Lord is the one who goes ahead of you. He will be with you.”

It seems to me

this eliminates our hesitation to be involved with God’s plan for spreading the gospel. Moreover, the next verse shows God’s disappointment with Israel (and us?) when they/we don’t believe God for the victory He promises.

Deut. 1:32-34 “But for all this, you did not trust the Lord your God who goes before you on your way…Then the Lord heard the sound of your words, and He was angry and took an oath, saying, ‘Not one of these men, this evil generation, shall see the good land which I swore to give your fathers.’”

Taken as a whole,

the last three posts’ verses are meant to show God’s plan for us, His unmitigated love for us, and His desire for us to trust Him. God has done His part in encouraging us and offering His purpose, plan and presence. Now it’s up to us to choose to buy into His plan…or not. Before you decide, think about what the Israelites missed out because of God’s anger.

What promises, what “good land” does God have waiting for us to get on board and claim?