Courtney Gilmore The very best place to be, is wherever God wants you! No matter how scary the place seems that He is taking you, it will never be as bad as the place where He is not. It is better to be with Him than to go it alone. As long as He is with you, then you will make it through.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me. Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
Psalm 23:4
The Israelites had to fight many battles on their way into the Promised Land of the Lord. When God was with them in battle, they won. No matter how big the army, no matter how impossible it seemed, they always won when God was there with them in the fight. But when they went into battle without Him, they always lost.
That’s because their victory or defeat was never decided by human strength or ability, or the lack thereof. The outcome of each battle depended solely on the will of the Lord. If God was with them, they would be victorious. But, if He wasn’t, they would be defeated.
The Lord is on my side. I will not fear… The Lord is for me among those who help me… It is better to trust in the Lord, than to put confidence in man.
Psalm 118:6-8
There was one particular time when God led them into battle and they were too afraid to go. A couple of men tried to persuade the people to trust in the Lord and heed His direction, but they refused. So, God forbid them from the beautiful, fertile land forever and sentenced them to wander in wilderness until they died.
All of the sudden, they found their courage. They decided to fight the battle after all. But it was too late. The Lord was no longer leading them in that direction and He would not be with them if they went there. If they thought they had no chance at victory when God was with them, then they certainly had no chance without Him.
I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you. I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’ Fear not, for I am with you. Be not dismayed, for I am your God.
Isaiah 41:10
In their camp was the ark of the covenant, the dwelling place of God. Normally when they went to battle, the Spirit of the Lord would go with them. But this time, the ark stayed in the camp. The Lord did not go into battle with them. So, they left Him behind, went ahead without Him, and were promptly defeated.
The Israelites knew where God was leading them and they were too afraid to heed His direction. Then, when He led them in a different direction, they thought they knew better and still did not follow Him.
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. Do not be wise in your own eyes. Fear the Lord and depart from evil.
Proverbs 3:5-7
What they didn’t understand is that the only safe place for them was in the Presence of the Lord and the only legitimate fear was in rejecting His direction. We too may not think we want to follow the path that God has for us, but if we don’t, then we’re traveling this life alone. We have no power to fight the battles when they arise, no knowledge of what’s ahead, no understanding of the dangers on the path we choose, and no insight into the blessings we’re missing out on by going our own way. But when God is with us, we can be at peace, even in the midst of turmoil. He’s our shelter.
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, even though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea, though its waters roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with its swelling. There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High. God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved. God shall help her, just at the break of dawn.
The nations raged, the kingdoms were moved. He uttered His voice, the earth melted. The Lord of hosts is with us. The God of Jacob is our refuge. Come, behold the works of the Lord, who has made desolations in the earth. He makes wars cease to the end of the earth. He breaks the bow, cuts the spear in two, and burns the chariot in the fire. Be still and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations. I will be exalted in the earth! The Lord of hosts is with us. The God of Jacob is our refuge.
Psalm 46
When God is with us, we shall not be moved. The road may be hard, but He will help us make it through all the valleys. It may be at the very last minute, just at the break of dawn, but He is always working for us. He is in charge of all the battles we face. He is God. When we fear only Him, we will be at peace. When He is with us, we are exactly where we want to be.
So, be attentive to God’s leading. Don’t go ahead of Him. Never leave Him behind. Seek the Lord diligently. Stay on the path He has for you and follow Him closely. Don’t be wise in your own eyes. Fear turning your back on the Lord and going your own way. Instead trust that God knows best. You will never regret following Him.
Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it.”
Isaiah 30:21
Excerpt from Episode 91 “The Best Place to Be Is Where God Is” on Podcast and YouTube
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