John Greenleaf Whittier did not come up with the idea that God goes before us and behind us as our guide and shield. The Lord spoke to Israel through the prophet Isaiah, “For you shall not go out with haste, nor go by flight; for the Lord will go before you, and the God of Israel will be your rear guard” (Isa. 52:12, NKJV). Isaiah says that we need not fear because the Lord goes before us to clear the way, and He also covers our flanks. We are hemmed in on every side by the presence of God. Let us, therefore, affirm in praise today the confidence of David when he wrote, “The LORD is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid? When evil men advance against me to devour my flesh, when my enemies and my foes attack me, they will stumble and fall. Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then will I be confident” (Ps. 27:1-3, NIV).
Grace and peace,
Mike
