“The One Who Goes Before You” From article by Mike Riley God, O.T. Expository of Deut. 31:1-8

Introduction Deut. 31:1-8 Moses is encouraging Israel as they prepared to enter the promise land We want to focus on the following phrases in the above passage

“The Lord, He is the one who Goes before you” No matter where life’s trials and tribulations take us—God has gone before us Ps. 23:4 Knowing this we can take on the attitude of Paul Phil. 4:13 God, O.T. Expository of Deut. 31:1-8

“The Lord, He is the one who Goes before you” There are no self made men and women---it is God that leads and continues to lead! self-made = 1.having succeeded in life unaided: He is a self-made man. 2.made by oneself. Having achieved success or recognition by one's own efforts (Dictionary.com)

“The Lord, He is the one who Goes before you” God led His people out of Egypt and through the Red Sea on dry ground He let His prophets to teach and restore Israel

“The Lord, He is the one who Goes before you” By godly sorrow we have been led to repentance & salvation 2 Cor. 7:9-10 Until we realize who is in charge of our lives, we will never have the full assurance we need as Christians

“The Lord, He is the one who Goes before you” What a comfort to know that when we face life’s challenges, our loving and caring God is always “going before us”

“He Will Be With You” God leads the way and is also continually with us Gen. 28:15 Joshua 1:5 Heb. 13:5 Mt. 28:20

“He Will Be With You” The name “Immanuel” means “God with us” What would be the purpose of prayer if we knew that God was no longer with us? The fact that we pray and pray often verifies that we believe God is “with us”

“He will not leave you nor forsake you” If we place our trust in human beings we will be sorely disappointed Men are apt to be wrong---they makes mistakes If we place our trust in God He will never fail nor forsake us 2 Tim. 4:16-17

“Do not fear nor be dismayed” When was the last time we felt fear and became discouraged? How can we keep from staying down when we become discouraged? By remembering that the Lord “has gone before us”

“Do not fear nor be dismayed” Remember the fear that King Saul and the army felt when facing Goliath? But David knew God was in control and thus he did not fear! 1 Sam. 17:11, 32, 37, 46

Conclusion We need not fear Satan or man when God “goes before us” REMEMBER Deut. 31:8---make it a part of your life When God “goes before us”, we can handle whatever comes our way!

Conclusion If we will “go with God” and trust in Him, He will “go before us”

Prov. 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. NKJV

Deut. 31:8 And the LORD, He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed.” NKJV