READING: Judges 4-6, Luke 10:25-11:13
Over the years of my ministry, the Lord has always proven Himself faithful. Even when I’ve struggled with following Him, He has never let me down. Several times, He has called us to leave ministry positions behind and follow Him to something new (and often, largely unknown). Twice, He has called me from full-time positions to serve in part-time positions—and trust Him even when His direction made little sense. Again, He was always faithful.
I must admit that I record these words today looking backward. That is, my reflections on the faithfulness of God are just that—reflections. They are present-tense assessments of God’s past-tense leading. I don’t know that I always trusted God at the front edge of a change like I should have; I doubt I always had future-tense faith when the unknowns were ahead of me. That’s why it’s good for me to hear Deborah’s words to Barak when she challenged him to take the victory over Sisera and his chariots: “Hasn’t the Lord gone before you?” (Judg 4:14). He had indeed already done so, and all of Sisera’s army would fall.
I don’t know all that I will face today. Perhaps unexpected things will happen. Maybe God will challenge me to take a step of faith. Questions and anxiety might wrongly grab my heart again. If so, I will ask the same question today, “Hasn’t the Lord already gone before me?”
He has, in fact—and that’s all that matters.
PRAYER: “Remind me, Lord, that You’ve already gone before me.”
DAILY ACTION STEP: Keep this same question –and its proper answer—in mind throughout the day today.
TOMORROW’S READING: Judges 7:1-9:21, Luke 11:14-54