Lord, go before me. Prepare the way.
When I pray this prayer, I can picture God clearing a path through the obstacles – pushing danger out of the way – closing doors that lead to trouble and opening doors that lead to blessings. And there have been countless times in my life that hindsight has shown me that was exactly what he did.
My journey through the Bible has shown me who God is and has taught me to trust that he does not change. That he is faithful in all things.
The whole Old Testament – the story of God’s people, the Israelites, and their wandering – is like a narrative of my life story. In fear and weakness, they’d cry out to God and he’d rescue them. Then in safety and security, complacency would set in and they would forget that it was God who had lead them to where they were. And as they tried to make their own way, storm clouds would blow in and fear and weakness would once again overtake them. And then they’d cry out to God and he would deliver them from their mess. And the cycle would repeat … again and again and again.
Throughout the Bible – God promised to go before his people. To lead the way for them. And although many of these promises were to specific people for specific times – I believe that these are promises God gives to each of us who have put our faith in him and in the grace and mercy he offers us through the atoning death of Jesus Christ.
You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head. (Psalms 139:5 NLT)
For the Lord your God is going with you! (Deuteronomy 20:4 NLT)
The Lord your God is going ahead of you. (Deuteronomy 1:30 NLT)
“Go in peace,” the priest replied. “For the Lord is watching over your journey.” (Judges 18:6 NLT)
But listen carefully to everything I command you today. Then I will go ahead of you… (Exodus 34:11 NLT)
And the ultimate culmination is Jesus’ declaration that he is going before us to prepare a place for us in heaven.
“Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? (John 14:1, 2 NLT)
Resting in these promises can make our journey, whatever it may involve, feel more secure and sure-footed.