March 23, 2001
But you will not leave in haste or go in flight;
for the LORD will go before you,
the God of Israel will be your rear guard.
Isaiah 52:12
In his promise to the Israelite's about their return from captivity God tells them how he will orchestrate events and it opens my eyes to more things in God's character that I can hang on to. He assures them that as he delivers them they won't have to rush out in haste he will give them time to prepare -- to be ready for the battle. I love that and can see that it is always true in his character... God always allows me to be ready before I face something - he promises not to give me more than I can handle and he is faithful to that promise. Beyond that he promises to go both before and behind his people - only God can be in both places at once! He promises to go before, to lead us into the battle... generally in battle the higher up the chain a soldier was they would keep them in the rear, away from the fighting to keep them safe. Their wisdom was needed in order to plan strategy etc. but God leads us into battle - no fear - no concern - he puts himself on the line for us. He also promises to be our rear-guard -- the rear-guard had two special jobs... he was the one who to defend an exposed rear flank and it was this job to collect the stragglers & wounded and keep them safe. That is God's amazing heart for us!!