He Who Goes First

 

Do not tremble, do not be afraid. Did I not proclaim this and foretell it long ago? You are my witnesses. Is there any God besides me? No, there is no other Rock; I know not one. Isaiah 44:8 (NIV)

Indiana Jones hates snakes. One of the most memorable scenes in the movie Raiders of the Lost Ark was his discovery of the Ark of the Covenant hidden in the Well of Souls. Peering into the room from above he beheld the ark below with snakes writhing on the floor around it. A lot of snakes. Rolling back in shock Indy says, “Snakes. Why did it have to be snakes?” His archeological associate, Sallah, looks and says, “Yes, asps. Very dangerous. You go first!”

In life who goes first, the LORD or you? As the sure Logos of God, we can know with certainty Christ always goes before us. When we face things that can make us tremble, we can remember what the LORD our Rock says of Himself, “Is there any God besides me?” There is not one who even comes close to His majesty, power, and wisdom, let alone match Him. He is a Rock on which we can firmly stand and in whom we can fully trust.

He is more than willing to meet and overcome our worries and fears. His light leads and shines into any pit of darkness, even crawling with things we dread. The God of Israel will go before you and will be your rear guard (Is. 51:12). He will crush the head of any serpent as He says, “Do not fear for I am with you. Follow Me. I will go first.”

Maranatha,

Ken