“Thus saith the LORD, thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; I am the LORD thy God which teacheth thee to profit,which leadeth thee by the way that thou shouldest go.” (Isaiah 48:17)

The Lord places a hedge about His sheep as they roam about in the “field” of life, like a shepherd who guards His own sheep against wolves and other predators. The Lord guards and protects His sheep on all sides against the wiles of the devil and his dark spiritual forces, false teaching, and any harm that comes along the way. In the setting darkness of evening the shepherd herds his sheep into the sheep fold for the night just as our Lord gathers us into His arms as spiritual darkness envelopes itself around us. He protects His own children from: “principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”
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And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night:” (Exodus 13:21)
“And the LORD, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.” ( Deuteronomy 31:8)

In every situation God goes before us filtering the path, removing OBstacles and clearing the way as He deems necessary for our spiritual health and growth. For the Israelite’s journey to the Promised Land He provided a pillar of cloud before them by day and fire by night to guide them as they marched for forty years. Sometimes they went in circles as they headed towards the Promised Land, but God was always with them by day and night. He provides the way for His sheep today too.

“Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me.” (Psalms 139:5)

God also follows behind us every step we take, ready to steer us down the right path if we lean, own our own understanding, towards the wrong turn at a fork in the road. He is always guiding, gently nudging us if necessary, as we make our steps through this life on our walk with Him.

And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left. (Isaiah 30:21)
“I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.”

“On the left hand, where he doth work, but I cannot behold him: he hideth himself on the right hand, that I cannot see him:” (JOB 23:9)

God is walking beside us to the right and left of our path. He is at our shoulder, to the right of us, and to the left, as we walk for Him. God is with us to our left along the path as we move through life also.

How excellent is thy lovingkindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings. (Ps 36:7)

God hovers above us and protecting us in the shadows of His wing. He places us underneath His wings protecting us from dark spiritual forces and the devil wiles, and harm.

“The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms: and he shall thrust out the enemy from before thee; and shall say, Destroy them.” (Deuteronomy 33:27)

God’s arms are underneath us, holding us upright as necessary. He lifts His children out of the miry clay, setting them on a firm foundation, with His loving arms.

Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?

His Spirit lives within the heart of each child of God. It is a refuge in times of spiritual persecution and tribulation. The Lord’s strong right arm comes up against the enemies and dark spiritual forces of His children as they sojourn in this world, living sacrificially unto Him. The Bible tells us clearly the Lord has us completely surrounded by His protecting love on all sides and even above and beneath us. This shows the depth of His great love for us and His care and concern for our spiritual and physical well-being.

For Further Contemplation:
The next time you begin to contemplate and fear about a situation remember how well the Lord has you covered in His divine care and protection and look to His great love, mercy, and grace instead of your troubling circumstances. Glancing at your circumstances and intently revering Him.

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