Deuteronomy 31:8
“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.”
The Lord goes ahead of us. What comfort that brings. What does He do when He goes ahead? He makes the road safe. Isaiah 42:16 provides some detail, “I will lead the blind by a way they do not know, In paths they do not know I will guide them. I will make darkness into light before them And rugged places into plains. These are the things I will do, And I will not leave them undone.”
We don’t have to fear the future. This is one of the greatest causes of anxiety, what we fear may happen. Yet, if our lives are entrusted to Him, He makes the paths straight.
Jesus says in Matthew 6:25-27 not to worry. Be as the birds of the air. They have enough. God feeds them. We are to do our best and trust God for the rest. He literally goes before us. He alters circumstances and those in whom we’ll come into contact.
We gain much peace knowing this. As we trust Him, we can relax. A second source of peace is the presence of God. Philippians 4:7 speaks of the peace of God that passes all understanding and how it guards our hearts. God is peace, so it would make sense that as we give Him more place in our lives that we will gain more of it.
We have an example of one who went ahead, John the Baptist. John 1:23 says that he was to make the ways straight. This increases our efficiency. Sometimes meandering paths are helpful, however, sometimes they are a waste of time. If we trust Him, He makes our journey more efficient.
Lord, thanks that You go ahead of us. Whatever is there that we fear, You tame. Thank You. Help us to rest and trust You.