The Lord Goes Before Me

I love this verse from Deuteronomy so much. It's what the author of Hebrews 13:5 (the verse we covered in yesterday's devotional) was referencing. But, yesterday we focused on God's promise to never leave us. Today, we're looking at the fuller context: God doesn't just stay with us…He goes before us.

As you know, I'm a bit of a planner, which means I'm always thinking about what's ahead. I'm not always worried about it, but it's definitely front of mind. The conversation I need to have. The decision I need to make. The situation I don't know how to handle. I rehearse scenarios, try to prepare for as many possibilities as I can, and attempt to control outcomes before they even happen. And still, those little bits of anxiety creep in because I can't see what's coming.

But here's what this verse reminds me: I'm not the first one there. God goes before me.

This isn't just a nice sentiment, it's a concrete reality that changes how I walk into every moment. Before I enter that room, God is already there. Before I have that difficult conversation, He's already present. Before I face whatever challenge is waiting, He's gone ahead of me, preparing the way.

Moses spoke these words to the Israelites as they stood on the edge of the Promised Land, terrified of what they'd encounter. God wasn't sending them alone. He was going first. And He promised to stay with them, never leaving, never forsaking.

And this is true for you today. God isn't waiting to see how you handle things and then showing up if you need help. He's already in your future, tomorrow, next week, next year, preparing the way. You're not walking into the unknown. You're walking into where God has already been.