He Goes Before You!
About 4 months ago, my left shoulder tapped me adroitly on my (figurative) shoulder to let me know that something was amiss. The scan and X ray my doctor ordered revealed that bursitis was the culprit. And so, two days before Christmas, I drove to the local Radiology centre for a steroid injection. Finding parking was a challenge but I managed to find a park not too far from the entrance. Inside, a lovely young lass prepped me and a capable doctor gave me my injection.
Afterwards, hopeful the injection would settle my pain, I walked towards my car. It was then that I remembered! Shortly before I got there, my beloved had come for fitness swimming at the swim centre nearby. I scanned the area and soon spotted his vehicle. Strangely enough, his Daddy car (as I call his large grey Mazda) was parked exactly opposite my Baby car (my little blue Mazda)! And seeing the Daddy car, felt like a reminder from my Father … that just as Shan had gone before me that day, God Himself would go before me into the New Year.
It was a reminder that my Heavenly Father would stay close to me all year long, just as Shan's car was parked just behind mine. That God is in fact, never far from me even when I don't see or feel Him. That His eye is on the sparrow and likewise, daily, hourly, moment by moment, He watches over me. This year, as in most years, we will all have moments of joy but also moments of pain. There might be plenty of good times but no doubt hard times too. There will be wholesome interactions with others that bless us but also difficult encounters that could well take the wind out of our sails.
Many years ago, as my little family was preparing to leave Sri Lanka for an unknown future, God gave me a perfect gift - a verse from scripture, which came to me from many sources. A card from a friend, a bookmark, the Word itself ... I can't remember the details. But five times He spoke! And as the same verse kept finding me many times over, I couldn't help but hear Him, a clear bell that kept ringing its tinkling chimes just for me.
"The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you.
He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not fear.
Do not be dismayed.' Deuteronomy 31:8.
The fact that God told me not to fear indicated that hard times would arrive. But His assurance was also very clear - He would be with me through it all. That was His promise. A few years later, as we settled into life in Australia, it happened just like He said! Trials came thick and fast, thieves that tried to steal my joy. But … I had a secret weapon – the love and presence of a Mighty Mighty God. I remember once sharing what I was up against tearfully, with a friend. A few days later, as I was in the thick of battle, I emailed her and asked her to pray for me.
Her response was immediate. She sent me Deuteronomy 31:8! The thing is … she didn't have a clue that that was my verse – one God Himself had impressed in my heart 10 years before! She had listened to Him and God blessed me through her. Another 10 years later, during yet another tough season, I met with a prayer counsellor. We asked God what He wanted to tell me and God spoke to my heart. Immediate. Clear. Distinct.
'I was with you the whole time' He said! My eyes widened! Thank You, Lord! Thank You!
Not only had He given me a word to cling to during those tough moments, He had also kept His word. I don't know what your past year was like. But I do know Who goes before you. I don't know what challenges have stalked you. But I do know that as you seek Jesus, He will be faithful to His word. I don't know what hardships await you. I do know that as you cling to Him, the Lord will care for you.
And so dear friend, I wish you a blessed and bright New Year! May 2025 bring you fresh evidence of His love for you. May you be held, comforted, cherished and cared for by the One who created you. The One who loves you. May you flourish all year long in His amazing bountiful beautiful grace.
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord,
"plans to prosper you and not to harm you,
plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11
