The Lord himself goes before you

She clapped her hands and the rats scattered. That memory goes years back to when I was 19 and Jackie Pullinger led us into the Walled City in Hong Kong, through dark alleys overhung with dripping cables stealing power from the city, past booths with prostitutes on display, watched over by Triad pimps. Yet, we were safe because Jackie went ahead and she had the respect not only of the rats but also of the gang leaders.

Now here I am in 2026, looking ahead to an uncertain future in our world and I am comforted that one much greater than Jackie goes before me. Demons scatter before him.

The Lord himself goes ahead of us. This was the promise given by the risen Jesus for the disciples:

The Lord goes ahead of you to Galilee (John 16:7).

Did they hear the echo of the great promise given to Joshua?

The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you. (Deuteronomy 31:8)

Maybe, like me, you feel unworthy of this promise. I’m encouraged it was given to the disciples who might have expected condemnation for their betrayal. Instead, what they met was the Saviour who went before them to take their judgement on the Cross.

If he loved us enough to go ahead to take our judgement, we can know he loves us to go ahead of us for rest of our days.  Because we know God has our past covered, we can trust he has our future covered too.

Without fixing our eyes on him ahead, we wander off course. A while ago, I was in London with a group going to a conference. We got off the train and walked for 15 minutes. Finally, someone said, “How far is it?” and we realised no-one was leading. That’s a bad plan!

If we will but follow, our good shepherd offers to lead us - to green pastures and still waters, to restore our souls.

Those of you who knew my husband Trevor, may remember that this was a prayer he often prayed over others – the Lord himself goes before us. It has been my experience in such practical ways, right down to finding a church and a home.

It is such a precious promise - whatever the future holds, the Lord himself goes before us. He has already gone ahead, through the tunnel of death into new life and he promises to lead us home.