There are things which we know are right but we neglect or choose not to do. One of those is following instructions.
A few months ago, I bought a new bed frame. Three of my friends helped me (or should I say I helped them) build it. It was supposed to be simple - prepare tools (which we have), make sure all pieces are complete, build it according to the instructional manual.
Believe it or not, not one of us thought of getting that piece of paper that came with the frame to follow what it says. We all (silently) agreed that we can build it without that manual. Just when we were about to attach the headboard to the frame, we figured we did something wrong so we had to disassemble the headboard pieces to make sure it was right.
We were able to assemble it but it would have happened sooner if we used the instructional manual.
Things like this happen most of the time when we think we can do it and we resist outside help. I have seen many drivers refusing to take someone's direction because they know other way.
This thing is very true with our walk with God. If there's anything very familiar with how God works, it's Him giving instructions. A lot of times He instructed His people, "Do not be afraid." Perhaps this is one of those things that hinder us from following Him - fear, so He would usually begin with dealing with it in us.
One good thing about following God's instructions is that He never let us go on our own. Whether we recognize it or not, God is with us every step. In fact, He goes before us. He makes sure He is ahead of us towards same direction that He wants us to take.
Remember 1 Corinthians 10:13, "No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it." (NKJV)
God does not want to take us anywhere we cannot go. He knows our limits. He even understands exactly what we are undergoing through. In John 16:33 (NKJV), Jesus said, "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
Whatever thing may come our way, Jesus knows about it, He knows what we can and cannot bear, so He went before us, took everything we can think of on the cross, overcame them all, and made sure nothing will come that we cannot bear. He goes before us so that He can screen things. Those that come our way are what should strengthen us. Remember that with a screen, bigger things can't pass, only those that fit to the holes. Jesus goes before us, ahead of us, in front of us. He is our protector and defender when we move forward. He is the screen that makes sure only those that we can handle may pass through.
The best part of following God's instructions is that he got our back. He is our rear guard. Not only does He go before us, He also defends us from behind. All those things that we do not see and do not have control with, God takes care of it.
When we move forward, we cannot see what's behind us.God is taking care of it. This is where consistent and intentional prayer steps in - ask the Lord for protection, guidance and everything. Never let a day pass without praying. Never ever leave home without it.
I remember my wife, when we did not know yet that she was pregnant (with me first babies), she was part of a team who will lead a Youth Camp to another province. They missed the bus that was supposed to take them on time to the venue. So they had no other choice but to take the next one. In their minds, they all thought they should have gone earlier so could have got into that first bus.
God had a different plan. On their way to the venue, they saw the first bus (which they were supposed to take) burning. They could have taken that but because the God who promised He is their rear guard is true to His words, they were spared. They were protected from the things they did not even know would happen.
As we continue our walk with God, let us always be sensitive to His instructions, being assured that He goes before us and the He is our rear guard. We are so surrounded by His glory.
Depart! Depart! Go out from there,
Touch no unclean thing;
Go out from the midst of her,
Be clean,
You who bear the vessels of the Lord.
For you shall not go out with haste,
Nor go by flight;
For the Lord will go before you,
And the God of Israel will be your rear guard.
- Isaiah 52:11-12 (NKJV)
