‘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
‘for the Lord will go before you; and the God of Israel will be your reward’ – Isaiah 52:12 KJV
‘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
‘You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head’- Psalm 139:5 NLT
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Recently my husband and I enjoyed the company of our three grandkids coming to stay while their mum and dad had an evening off to get all dressed up and attend a friend’s wedding 😊
We decided to set up an ‘outdoor’ movie theatre – hung a sheet at one end of our outdoor area with a projector and after their dinner and baths gave them doona’s, sleeping bags, blankets, and pillows to make themselves comfy on our outdoor lounge setting along with individual buckets of treats (oh and a torch too to see what they were eating) so they could watch a movie.
They saw the cartoon movie ‘EPIC’ and from a scene called ‘The Pod Ceremony’ the queen steps out of the boat and as her foot is about to come into contact with the water, small greenery comes together for her as steppingstones, enabling her to walk a path on top of the pond, totally secure for her to come to a large Lilly pad to meet with her two trusted friends…
In her place of regal authority this procession of purpose the queen was on - brought her to come to select a flower pod that was to bring about her succession in the life of caring for the forest and when her boat stops, and she goes to put her foot forward to step out of the boat – it all seemed very seamless and smooth!
This has made me think of the story in Matthew 14:25-32 where Peter in the boat shouted out…” -
“Lord, if it’s really you, then have me join you on the water!” “Come and join me,” Jesus replied. So Peter stepped out onto the water and began to walk toward Jesus. But when he realized how high the waves were, he became frightened and started to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he cried out. Jesus immediately stretched out his hand and lifted him up and said, “What little faith you have! Why would you let doubt win?”
This story too seemed very seamless and smooth until Peter realised how high the waves were and started to sink!
In the scripture verses above we know that our Heavenly Father assures us of his constant ability to go ahead of us, he will not fail us, blesses us, will level mountains for us, and will break down gates for us but only if we allow him and like Peter did – ask him ‘save me, Lord’!
I am more mindful today than ever of the increased urgency I feel to fulfill my purpose for the Lord as the days we are living in get crazier. To be constantly asking my Heavenly Father what my next steps should be so, like Peter I can say ‘(Lord) have me join you on the water’ where I am then in a place of having to rely on Him to hold me up and keep me focused on moving forward. Not choosing to look down and get freaked out over the constant billow of waves, tsunamis, and more that in the natural course of life’s dealings could stop me!
For my work role, I facilitate events and although much planning and organising is needed I am always totally amazed by the end result – seeing how God steps in and surprises me 😊 I have also just recently published and released a new book ‘Fragrance’ (second E-pub) I wrote from personal experiences and even in that too, the Lord has enabled me to connect with others from as far away as Cornwell in UK to Vancouver in Canada.
A life of constant ‘smooth sailing’ would be idyllic for sure but if I am honest, I feel that I have most certainly learned a great deal and grown personally in all that I have had to go through of late. I feel now that it has impassioned me more for what is important in this season and to trust more for what God can do.
As I ask Jesus to support me, I wish to hear him say ‘What Faith you have! You did not let doubt win!’
Amen!