The Lord Will Go Before You: Understanding God's Guidance and Protection in Our Lives

12/27/2024

The Lord will go before you and behind you and beside you


You're referring to the classic phrase from Isaiah 58:8, which says:

"And thou shalt call, and the Lord shall answer; thou shalt cry unto him, and he shall say, Here I am. If thou take away from before mine eyes the yoke; the burdened and the heavy laden, and wilt not break his Reed nor dash out his Pools; then shalt thou go forth unto the gate with the former things: and thou shalt sit thee down to abide by thy feet in the evening, even at the time of old. And the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and strengthen thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden; and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not."

And indeed, this verse speaks beautifully about God's presence and guidance in our lives. It says that He will go before us, behind us, and beside us - implying that He is with us wherever we go, guiding us, protecting us, and providing for us.

This verse reminds us that as believers, we are not alone; we have the Lord's presence and power working on our behalf. And this knowledge should give us confidence, hope, and peace in the midst of any situation or challenge.

Thank you for sharing this beautiful passage!


The Lord goes before you and prepares the way


A beautiful phrase! "The Lord goes before you and prepares the way" (Matthew 11:3, Isaiah 40:3) is a powerful statement of God's presence and guidance in our lives. Here are some insights:

1. **God precedes us**: The phrase emphasizes that God is always one step ahead of us. He knows what we're facing and has already prepared the way.
2. **Preparation**: The word "prepares" (Hebrew: karav) means to clear a path, remove obstacles, or make something ready for someone. In this sense, God is preparing our journey, making sure we have a smooth and safe passage.
3. **Way-making**: This phrase is often referred to as the concept of "way-making" or "making straight the path." It's a metaphorical description of God's role in guiding us through life's challenges and uncertainties.
4. **Faith and trust**: The phrase encourages faith and trust in God's sovereignty and goodness. When we walk with God, He goes before us, clearing the way, making sure we're on the right path.
5. **Spiritual guidance**: In a broader sense, this phrase speaks to our spiritual journey. As believers, we can trust that God is guiding us through life, preparing us for what's ahead, and equipping us with wisdom, courage, and strength.

When we face uncertain or challenging times, remembering "The Lord goes before you and prepares the way" can bring great comfort and peace. It reminds us that God is always one step ahead, guiding and directing our paths, even when we don't see what's ahead.


I will go before you and make crooked places straight


You're referencing Isaiah 40:4, which says:

"Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill brought low; and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain."

This passage is part of a larger prophecy in Isaiah 40-55 that speaks to God's redemptive plan for His people. The phrase "I will go before you and make crooked places straight" is often seen as a declaration of God's sovereignty and power.

In this context, "crooked places" refers to the obstacles, challenges, and difficulties that people face in their lives. When God says He will make these crooked places straight, it means that He will remove or overcome these barriers, making a way for His people to flourish and prosper.

This passage has been interpreted in various ways throughout history, but some common themes include:

1. God's power to transform: The phrase emphasizes God's ability to change the course of human events, removing obstacles and making a way for His people.
2. Redemption and restoration: The prophecy speaks to God's desire to redeem and restore His people, bringing them out of exile or captivity into a place of blessing and prosperity.
3. Hope and encouragement: Isaiah 40-55 is often seen as a message of hope and encouragement to those who are experiencing hardship or persecution. This phrase can be seen as a promise that even in the darkest times, God will make a way for His people.

In your original statement, "I will go before you and make crooked places straight," it seems like you're drawing inspiration from this passage! Is there a particular context or situation where you'd like to apply this idea?


The Lord will go before you and fight for you


You're referring to Exodus 14:19, which says:

"And the angel of God, who was going before the Israelites, moved and stood still at the edge of the sea; and the night passed without anyone passing through. Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and the Lord drove the sea back by a strong east wind and turned it into dry land, and the waters were divided." (NIV)

The passage you're referring to is not exactly saying that God will go before us and fight for us in every situation. Instead, it's describing a specific event where God intervened on behalf of the Israelites, dividing the Red Sea and allowing them to escape from the Egyptians.

However, there are many other passages throughout Scripture that do emphasize God's presence and protection alongside His people. For example:

* Deuteronomy 1:30 says, "The Lord your God, who went ahead of you in the way to search out a place for you to rest, is now about to go before you again and fight for you against all these nations—everywhere you go."
* Isaiah 43:2 says, "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you walk through fire, you shall not be scorched, nor shall the flames burn you."

In many cases, God's presence and protection are not just about fighting on behalf of His people, but also about guiding them through difficult situations and providing for their needs.


I will go before you Bible Verse KJV


I think you might be referring to the Bible verse "But thou, when thou shalt go in unto them, and eat with them, hearken what they speak; and if thou shalt find that they say, 'This is the way of peace,' then thou shalt not go after thee: but lie low from them, and heed it not." - Jeremiah 16:6 (KJV)

However, if you're looking for a specific verse about "I will go before you", I believe you might be thinking of this one:

"And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the Lord, that I will cut off thy goings with judgment, and I will cause thee to go no more: prophaned sacrifices thou shalt no more offer; but thy wickedness is as the light which goeth before him." - Isaiah 57:17 (KJV)

Please let me know if this is the one you were looking for or if there's another verse you'd like help with!


Deuteronomy 31:6


Deuteronomy 31:6 says, "Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be afraid of them; for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." (NASB)

This verse is a powerful encouragement to Joshua and the Israelites as they prepare to enter the Promised Land without Moses' direct leadership. The phrase "Be strong and courageous" is repeated in Deuteronomy 31:7, emphasizing the importance of confidence and boldness in the face of challenges.

In this context, God's promise to be with them wherever they go serves as a reminder that His presence and power are not limited by geographical boundaries or human limitations. This verse has been a source of comfort and inspiration for countless people throughout history, including those facing their own "Promised Land" challenges.

It's interesting to note that this same phrase is also used in Joshua 1:9, where God commands Joshua to be strong and courageous as he leads the Israelites into the Promised Land. This repetition emphasizes the importance of these qualities in serving God faithfully.

What would you like to know about Deuteronomy 31:6 or its context?


deuteronomy 31:8


Deuteronomy 31:8 is a beautiful and powerful verse!

The full context of Deuteronomy 31:8 reads:

"And the Lord gave them rest on every side; according to all that thou hast done unto the children of Israel in the wilderness, so hast thou had it, O Lord, on every side round about them, and not one foot of ground could their enemies claim: for thou hast strengthened the heart of this people, wherein they walk after thy name, because thou hast performed to them the word which I commanded thee: and they have known thy great name, that thou art the Lord Almighty."

This verse is part of Moses' farewell address to the Israelites before his death. Here are some key points to consider:

1. The Israelites had been given "rest" - a sense of security and stability - on every side. This refers to their physical deliverance from their enemies, but also speaks to their spiritual rest in God.
2. Moses acknowledges that this rest was a direct result of God's intervention. He notes that the Lord gave them rest just as He had done everything for them in the wilderness (v6-7).
3. The phrase "according to all that thou hast done unto the children of Israel" is significant, as it highlights God's consistency and faithfulness throughout their journey.
4. Moses attributes the Israelites' ability to walk after God's name to His strength. He acknowledges that God had performed exactly what He commanded Him to do, which resulted in the people's understanding of His great name - the Lord Almighty.

This verse is often seen as a testimony to God's faithfulness and power. It encourages us to trust in His consistency and to recognize that our rest and security come from His direct intervention.


The Lord will go before you, and be your rear guard


You're referencing Isaiah 58:8, which says:

"The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land. He will strengthen your frame, and rescue you from the slave trade. You will be like a well-watered garden, with deep roots that make you strong. And you will know I am the Lord, the one who is doing these things—yes, the one who is telling you to go ahead."

This verse is not exactly saying "The Lord will go before you, and be your rear guard," but it's still a powerful promise of God's guidance and protection in our lives.

However, if we're looking for a Bible verse that specifically mentions God going before us and being our rear guard, we can find one in Psalm 123:4:

"Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the Lord Jehovah will go before me, and the mighty man behind."

In this passage, King David expresses his confidence in God's protection and guidance. He knows that God will go ahead of him (or "before" him) to prepare the way, and also be behind him (or "behind" him) to watch over him and keep him safe.

What a wonderful promise!