God Goes Before You

Hi there and welcome to Van Life Devotions. Today, I have something personal to share. Five days ago I was up a ladder cleaning my gutters when suddenly the ladder slipped from under me causing me to fall 10 feet to these tiles. Remarkably my head did not make contact these tiles. Praise God.

My knees and shins took the impact causing immediate swelling and bruising. Leisl took me to Robina Hospital Emergency who admitted me straight away due to the height from which I had fallen. All the doctors and nurses that saw me were convinced that I had broken or dislocated my kneecaps, fractured my shins and perhaps a toe. My heart sank as I told them that my daughter is getting married in four weeks. I asked if I would be ok to walk my daughter down the aisle? They said probably but with crutches. I wasn’t happy with that news, so we got praying and asked family to pray for a miracle.

They took me for X-rays and then we waited. After reviewing the X-rays, the doctor came and said that I am incredibly lucky as the scans revealed that it wasn’t nearly as bad as they all originally thought. Yes, I have pain and bruising but there are no major breaks nor dislocations to which Leisl said, “God answered our prayers” and the doctor said, “Yes He did”. I’ve been on crutches for the past few days, BUT in four weeks I look forward to walking our daughter Chelsea down the aisle.

Two things I’ve learnt since my accident. One, if I’m to climb ladders make sure there is a support person; and Two, God caused a miracle. My head didn’t hit anything, and I didn’t jar my back or neck and no breakages or dislocations to my legs. Incredible. Now I can’t explain why God causes miracles for someone while another suffers. It’s one of the mysteries of life and it is a question that I want to ask God when I’m in heaven. But I do believe that God does go before us.

Last week I shared from Psalm 23 verse 6 that God’s goodness and love actively pursues us. Well, here’s another truth. God goes before us. In Deuteronomy 31 Moses was nearing the end of his life and was told by the Lord that he wasn’t entering into the Promised Land. Joshua and another generation Israelites were. The Promised Land though was inhabited by another culture who wouldn’t look too kindly to this group moving in. And so, Moses told them in verse 8, “The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged” (Deuteronomy 31:8 NIV). I have a feeling that as I fell God went before me protecting my head and other parts of my body from serious injury.

As you travel, may you be aware that God is not only actively pursuing you, He is also going before you. If you are going into a difficult situation, pray that God would go before you. He promises to never leave nor forsake you so do not be afraid or discouraged. We serve a Good God.

Let’s pray.

Dear God. Thank you for going before me and sparing my life from major injury. I pray that you will go before those who are traveling now or maybe going into a difficult situation. Give us peace and courage. O God, preserve us who travel; surround us with your loving care; protect us from every danger; and bring us in safety to our journey’s end; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

David Moyes