YOUR LORD PROCEEDS YOU . . .

YOUR LORD PROCEEDS YOU . . .

One of the traditions established by our founder, William Raws, many
years ago, is the use of Deuteronomy 31:8 as a benediction at the close
of our chapel services . . . "And the Lord, it is He that doth go before
you; He will be with you neither forsake you; fear not neither be
dismayed."

Sometimes we face those times and situations where we FEEL like we are
all alone. Henry Blackaby in his daily devotional EXPERIENCING GOD DAY
BY DAY reminds us that: "God never sends you into a situation alone. He
always goes BEFORE His children, as He did with the children of Israel
when He led them with a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night.

You do not serve as His advance troops in a foreign and hostile
situation. HE always proceeded YOU in any situation you encounter. God
is never caught by surprise by your experience; He has already been
there. He is prepared to meet your every need because He has gone before
you and knows exactly what you will need for your pilgrimage (Deut.
31:8)

Not only does God go BEFORE you, but He also stands BESIDE you and
BEHIND you, to provide protection and comfort (Psalm 139:7-12). Jesus
knew His disciples would be totally bewildered by His crucifixion, so He
assured them in advance that no matter what happened, not matter where
they went, they could go in confidence that He had already gone before
them. Paul, too, experienced this assurance (Acts 18:9; 23:11). In the
most bewildering circumstances, His Lord was there!

If you are going through a difficult or confusing time, know that your
Lord has gone BEFORE you and He is present with you. He is fully aware
of what you are facing, and He is actively responding to your need.
There is nowhere you can go that you will not find Christ waiting for
you to join Him. Even when you face death, you can be assured that He
has gone before you in triumph. As a child of God, rest in the knowledge
that your Savior PROCEEDED you, and He will walk WITH YOU through each
experience of your life."

EXPERIENCING GOD DAY BY DAY is published by Broadman Holman and can be
ordered from the KESWICK ON-LINE BOOKSTORE (www.americaskeswick.org).

It's not to late to request a complimentary set of the free FREEDOM
FIGHTER DAY CD's. To order your copy, respond to this email.