The Lord Goes Before YouSpeaker: Dr. D.G.S. Dhinakaran Gist: We have the privilege to cast all our burdens on Lord. In this New Year, the Lord is going to carry all our burdens and walk before us. His presence will guide us. "My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest." (Exodus 33:14)
How reassuring is the promise given to Moses by the Lord?
I visited, along with my wife, the United States of America, several years ago for my preaching ministry. At the very door-step of the gateway of the tarmac of the Airport, a respectable gentleman was waiting. As soon as he saw us, he asked, 'Are you Mr. Dhinakaran?' When I said 'yes', he politely asked us for our passports. Securing them from us he walked ahead of us, asking us to follow him. All the Airport officials saluted him when they saw him. Asking for our suit-cases at the checking counter, he took both our hefty suitcases in his hands and started walking ahead. The people in that area were taken by surprise at this sight. My friend waiting for me outside the Airport tried to help him, saying, 'Let me carry them' But that gentleman carried the suitcases up to the car, loaded them in it and said with a smile, "Have a nice time'. After he is a very Senior Police Officer, whom I casually met and enquired if he would help Brother Dhinakaran who was arriving by this flight. I thought that he would assist you through some of his junior officials. I am completely surprised that he himself deigned to carry the luggage." Our God is also one who shows a similar concern.
"Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you."(1 Peter5:7)
"Cast your burden on the Lord, and He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved." (Psalm 55:22)
According to these verses we have the privilege to cast all our burdens on Him. In this New Year, the Lord is going to carry all our burdens and walk before us. His presence will guide us.
Why does He go before us? "The one who breaks open will come up before them; They will break out, Pass through the gate, And go out by it; Their king will pass before them, With the Lord at their head." (Micah 2:13)
When Moses sent some Israelites 'to spy' out the land of Canaan, they returned and reported to him, shivering all the while "There we saw the giants (the descendants of Anak came from the giants); and we were like grasshoppers in our own sight, and so we were in their sight." (Numbers 13:33). It has been recorded about the enemies of the Israelites in Deuteronomy 9:2, 'who can stand before the descendants of Anak?" The Anakim was a race of giants. The Israelite spies shuddered when they saw the descendants of Anak. So Moses comforted the Israelites saying, "Therefore understand today that the Lord your God is He who goes over before you as a consuming fire. He will destroy them and bring them down before you; so you shall drive them out and destroy them quickly, as the Lord has said to you." (Deuteronomy 9:3)
When the Lord God appeared before the prophet Ezekiel, He presented an 'appearance of fire with brightness all around.' (Ezekiel 1:27). The devout Daniel after having a vision of God remarked, "His throne was a fiery flame, its wheels a burning fire; a fiery stream issued and came forth from before Him." (Daniel 7:9,10). Yes, though God is a consuming fire (Hebrews 12:29), He loves us very dearly and embraces, us keeping us.
In the year 1985, I was taken miserably ill. My life was totally at stake; I could not even pray. One night countless devils were all around me anticipating that I would die that night itself. At that time, I saw suddenly, Almighty God's throne. God spoke to me many things; from within the fire. At last He said, "Son, I will raise you again; I will heal you; be not afraid. Instantly all the devils, unable to stand in the presence of the flaming Christ, fled away. Very soon I was completely healed.
"Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for Me?"(Jeremiah 32:27)
The flaming fire of God who has given us this assurance will be with us in the New Year and burn down our enemies. He will go before us shattering all the barriers, which hamper the blessings that rightfully belong to us in our day to day life. He will pave the way for the inheritance of those blessings. He will devour all the devils and enemies who are up against us and turn them to ashes (Ezekiel 28:18). He will never desert us.
Prayer:
Loving heavenly Father,
I praise You for giving me the assurance of being with me always. Thank You, Lord for going before me and shattering all the barriers, which hamper my blessings. Devour all the devils and enemies who are against me and make them all my friends. I believe You can do it. In Jesus' wonderful name, I pray.
Amen. |