Divine Leader
"Remember how the LORD your God led you all the way in the wilderness these forty years, to humble and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands." (Deuteronomy 8:2 NIV)
I had to go somewhere the other day I'd never been before. I'd never even heard of the street my destination was on. And I was under a time constraint, so I was nervous about finding the place and getting my tightly-scheduled teenager where she needed to go after I picked her up from where she was.
I had the Google British-accent direction lady on standby, telling me where to turn in how many feet, but I didn't trust her. I wasn't sure she really knew what she was talking about. I wasn't confident she actually knew where I was and where I needed to get to.
At the end of Moses' tenure as the earthly leader of the nation of Israel, we find the people of God also needing to go someplace they've never been before...and with someone new guiding them on. Moses knows they're nervous about the change of command. He knows they don't know where they're going. He knows they're worried about the enemies they'll face on the way.
And so he comforts them with this perfect pep talk: "The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged" (Deuteronomy 31:8 NIV).
The Lord goes before you. He'll be with you. Don't be afraid.
Moses doesn't review his own resume, and he doesn't tout the credentials of Joshua, his (godly, able, trustworthy) successor. He knows a human leader can only be in one place at a time...either up ahead or with his charges or bringing up the rear.
Instead, Moses reassures the people he loves with the package deal of God's presence: before, beside, and behind.
Our omnipresent, everywhere-at-once Divine Leader can be—and is—miles down the road, waiting for us at our destination AND at our side on the journey AND covering our backs from harm we cannot see.
Wherever you're going today—a job you have to do, a decision you have to make, a relationship you need to feed, a hurt you need to heal, a dream you need to pursue—know that your Divine Leader is already before you waiting for you at your destination. Press into His presence beside you while you're getting there. Take comfort in His protection behind you. And then walk on in courage and confidence.
"You are my strength and comfort,
You are my steady hand.
You are my firm foundation,
The rock on which I stand.
Your ways are always higher,
Your plans are always good.
There's not a place where I'll go
You've not already stood.
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I'd love to hear from you! Feel free to tell me what you really think. Years ago, I explained to my then-two-year-old that my appointment with a counselor was "sort of like going to a doctor who will help me be a better mommy." Without blinking, she replied, "You'd better go every day." All of which is just to say I've spent some time in the school of brutal honesty!