0850. 831. The Lord Before His People

831. The Lord Before His People

Mic_2:13

1. Perpetual Protection. “The Lord went before them,” etc. (Exo_13:21). When the Lord stands between us and any foe we are safe.

2. Perpetual Keeping. “Behold, I send an angel before thee to keep thee” (Exo_23:20). The keeping of the Lord is constant in its attention, comforting in its love, and consecrating in its influence.

3. Perpetual Victory. “The Lord your God which goeth before you, He shall fight for you” (Deu_1:30; Deu_9:3). No enemy can stand before the skill of His might, nor defeat the purpose of His grace.

4. Perpetual Service. “Who went in the way before you” (Deu_1:33). The Lord had to continually adjust the going of Israel, leading them back into the wilderness because of their unbelief, when they might have gone forward if they had trusted Him.

5. Perpetual Presence. “The Lord… doth go before thee, He will be with thee” (Deu_31:8). The Lord’s presence means gladness in sorrow, strength in weakness, and progress in holiness.

6. Perpetual Rectification. “I will go before thee, and make the crooked places straight” (Isa_45:2). Difficulties become stepping-stones, and dangers helps, when He goes before.

7. Perpetual Guidance. “His own sheep, He goeth before them” (Joh_10:4). The pastures of His promises, and the placid stream of His peace, are not far distant when He leads.

By: DR. F. E. MARSH