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

Allow me to take you back to a time when the kids were small.  We were part of a group enjoying a weekend away.  The dads and older kids went fishing and after a while our youngest decided to join them at the dam.  I was standing on one side of the river explaining to him how to cross at the bridge and then to follow the path through the patch of trees onwards to the dam.  Once past all the trees, there is a clearing and I said I’d wave to him, from there it would be only a few meters further over the hill to the dam.  I mean, what could go wrong?  I waited and waited and he did not appear at the clearing so that we could wave at each other.  I realised something was amiss and ran towards the patch of trees.  I understood what had happened.  In the shadows, the path forks.  I didn’t know about that and realised he must have taken the path to the right, thinking it is the correct one leading to the dam.  I ran quite a distance before catching up to him.  Fortunately, there was a boundary fence in the veld and he could not continue.  What a relieve to have found him safe and sound.

I felt the Holy Spirit saying this is an example of how God leads us and cares for us.  He knows we cannot always see the dangers, pitfalls and forks in the road. Even if we make wrong decisions or choices, He can send an angel if need be or in this case provide a “boundary fence” to make sure a child stays safe.  He knows and sees everything and His arm is ready to help in times of need.

Whatever you do in life, your Helper and Teacher is not absent.  He is there teaching you valuable lessons that can often only be learnt through hardship.

Isa 30:21 “Whether you turn to the right or the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you saying: ‘This is the way; walk in it.’”

Take comfort from these Scriptures.

Job 23:10-11 “But He knows the way that I take; when He has tested me, I shall come out as gold.  My feet have closely followed His steps; I have kept to His way without turning aside.”

Prov. 4:25-27 “Let your eyes look straight ahead, fix your gaze directly before you.  Make level paths for your feet and take only ways that are firm.  Do not swerve to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.”

Prov. 3:6 “In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.”

Ps. 16:8 “I have set the Lord always before me.  Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. 11 “You make known to me the path of life; You will fill me with joy in Your presence, with eternal pleasures at Your right hand.”

Ps. 37:23-24 “If the Lord delights in a man’s way, He makes his steps firm; though he stumbles, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with His hand.”

Ps. 143:8-10 “Let the morning bring me word of Your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in You.  Show me the way I should go, for to You I lift up my soul.  Rescue me from my enemies, o Lord, for I hide myself in You.  Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God; may Your good Spirit lead me on level ground.”

Ex. 33:14 “The Lord replied, ‘My Presence will go with you and I will give you rest.’”

I know that there is upheaval in the world on all fronts. Despite what you hear and see with all the doom and gloom, do not be dismayed.  I don’t know what the road ahead will look like, but the whole essence of our faith is that we must not fear.  I do know this for sure: “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.” Deut. 31:8. So, buckle up, it is going to be an exhilarating ride!  Exciting times lie ahead.  We will see His faithfulness, goodness, protection and guidance every step of the way.