If You Say Go...

Keith and I and others having been praying for the Lord to "Go" before us... He is faithful to answer prayer (John 14:13). As we pour our hearts out to Him, He will give us the desires of our heart (Psalm 37:4). My devotion today was so sweet! My hopes and fears, doubt and assurance of salvation all on one page. I praise the Lord for the saints that have gone before me, who have sought the Lord and shared with me the comfort they have been comforted with (2 Cor 1:4).

Please keep our family in your prayers as the Lord goes before...

When He has brought out all His own, He goes on ahead of them. (John 10:4)


This is intensely difficult work for Him and us--it is difficult for us to go, but equally difficult for Him to cause us pain. Yet it must be done. It would not be in our best interest to always remain in one happy and comfortable location. Therefore He moves us forward. The shepherd leaves the fold so the sheep will move on to the vitalizing mountain slopes. In the same way laborers must be driven out into the harvest, or else the golden grain would spoil. 


But take heart! It could never be better to stay once he determines otherwise; if the loving hand of our Lord moves us forward, it must be best. Forward, in His name, to green pastures, quiet waters, and mountian heights! (See Ps. 23:2.) "He goes on ahead of [us]." So whatever awaits us is encountered first by Him, and the eye of faith can always discern His majestic presence out in front. When His presence cannot be seen, it is dangerous to move ahead. Comfort your heart with the fact that the Savior has Himself experienced all the trials He asks you to endure; He would not ask you to pass through them unless He was sure that the paths were not to difficult or strenuous for you.


This is the blessed life--not anxious to see far down the road nor overly concerned about the next step, not eager to choose the path nor weighted down with the heavy responsibilities of the future, but quietly following the Shephered, one steep at a time.

Dark is the sky! and veiled the unknown morrow!
   Dark is life's way, for night is not yet o'er;
The longed-for glimpse I may not meanwhile borrow;
   But, this I know and trust, HE GOES BEFORE.


Dangers are near! and fears my mind are shaking;
   Heart seems to dread what life may hold in store;
But I am His--He knows the way I'm taking,
   More blessed even still--HE GOES BEFORE.


Doubts cast their weird, unwelcome shadows o're me,
   Doubts that life's best--life's choicest things are o'er;
What but His word can strengthen, can restore me,
   In this blest fact; that still HE GOES BEFORE.


HE GOES BEFORE! Be this my consolation!
   He goes before! On this my heart would dwell!
He goes before! This guarantees salvation!
   HE GOES BEFORE! And therefor all is well
                                                      J. Danson Smith

The oriental shepherd ahead of his sheep.  He was always in front. Any attack upon the sheep had to take him into account first.  Now God is out in front. He is in our tomorrows, and it is tomorrow that fills people with fear.  Yet God is already there. All the tomorrows of our life have to pass through Him before they can get to us.   F. B. Meyer

Taken from Streams in the Desert, January 14, by L. B. Cowman (Updated by Jim Reimann).