“Walk Before Me”

“When Abram was ninety-nine years old the Lord appeared to Abram and said to him, ‘I am God Almighty; walk before me, and be blameless, that I may make my covenant between me and you, and may multiply you greatly.’ Then Abram fell on his face. And God said to him, ‘Behold, my covenant is with you, and you shall be the father of a multitude of nations. No longer shall your name be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham, for I have made you the father of a multitude of nations. I will make you exceedingly fruitful, and I will make you into nations, and kings shall come from you. And I will establish my covenant between me and you and your offspring after you throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your offspring after you. And I will give to you and to your offspring after you the land of your sojournings, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession, and I will be their God.'” Genesis 17:1-8

Wind rushes through and by in rude gusts, barging into fronds, rustling and bending their stalks with loud crushling; pushing, rushing clouds along the early sky. It musses and thrusts, determining every current, lean, spill, and ounce of momentum from behind. Invisible itself, its power is undeniable.

It is natural to think of walking before someone as blazing a trail, forging ahead, leading the way, and often this is so. But when the Me that is behind is God Almighty, the dynamic is different, and divine. Like a mighty wind, He mobilizes us with His limitless power by steering us toward holiness. If we are to proceed and be blameless, we must follow His lead from behind, by bold, intimate faith. We walk unseeing, but certain, and trusting. We proceed with keen listening to His voice giving direction from behind. “This is the way, walk in it.” He graciously allows us the thrill and pleasure of being the first to see and savor the new way ahead, the highway of holiness. He builds hunger for more of Him and teaches confidence in every blind but sure step, with the riches of God’s promises the indisputable, blessed result. (Isaiah 30:21; 35:8; Titus 2:11-14)

When ignited by the fire to do, or inspired to head out with resolute action, we may charge ahead of God’s voice in our own strength and plan. The farther we distance ourselves from His earshot, the more apt we are to stray off course. Would we entrust our resolve to Him, and move ahead at His tempo and command?

Perhaps we tarry in apathy or laziness, unwilling to progress unaided with any personal initiative, waiting for the Champion to take our hand and pull us forward. But God Almighty beckons us to action, and promises to hem us in as rear guard. Would we obey and step out in faith? Would we go forth knowing He will steer us and open the way before our trusting eyes? (Psalm 139:5; Isaiah 52:12;58:8)

Lord, strengthen me to walk and be blameless before You. Conform me to Your image as You lead from behind. As Your child, may I bring blessing to others as I bless and exalt You.