The power of this promise has brought me comfort in many of my anxious moments. This past week being one of those moments, as I am navigating through another round of vertigo and trying to understand the cause.

O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me. You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts even when I’m far away. You see me when I travel and when I rest at home. You know everything I do. You know what I am going to say even before I say it, Lord. You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too great for me to understand!‬‬

Psalms‬ ‭139‬:‭1‬-‭6‬ ‭NLT

I had begun my search into scripture at the reminder of God seeing me as I sit and stand, a challenge for someone experiencing vertigo. My dizziness started again last week and after a visit to the doctor with instructions for some exercises, I managed to quell some of the symptoms, and some were lessening. I also have another test scheduled for tomorrow. Then it all hit me again Sunday morning. A day I was scheduled to sing at church. Because of the timing, I couldn’t help but wonder what part of this was an attack of the enemy.

So let’s work through my thought process. “You know when I sit down or stand up.” God sees me. He knows the trouble I’m having. Right now. In this moment.

“You go before me and follow me.” Not only does he see me in the moment but he sees where I’ve been and where I’m going. This led me to the next scripture.

Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me. You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You honor me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings. Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever.‬‬

Psalms‬ ‭23‬:‭4‬-‭6‬ ‭NLT

He sees me, he goes before me and behind me, and he is “close beside me.” God is not just watching my struggles, he is going with me through the dark valleys. Then look! God goes ahead of me to “prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies.” God is not worried by the presence of the enemy, he’s not waiting for the end of the battle to celebrate his goodness in my life.

He escorts me to the banquet hall; it’s obvious how much he loves me.‬‬

Song of Songs‬ ‭2‬:‭4‬ ‭NLT

That was a freebie.

Last week I shared that my word for the year was “pursue.” And when my reading led to Psalm 23, I wasn’t surprised when I saw it there. “Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life,” an awesome reminder of God pursuing me. But that stirred the thought of who else pursues me.

Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.‬‬

1 Peter‬ ‭5‬:‭8‬ ‭NLT

But recalling Psalm 23, God is there preparing a feast. He’s not intimidated and he doesn’t want me to be. His instructions are simple.

So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.‬‬

James‬ ‭4‬:‭7‬ ‭NLT

Although I’m not consistent in throwing up my shield against his attacks, I do know that God has supplied me with what I need to thwart the devil’s plans.

A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.

Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.‬‬

Ephesians‬ ‭6‬:‭10‬-‭17‬ ‭NLT

What stands out to me in this passage of scripture is this: “put on every piece of God’s armor.” Why? Because it is important to see the application in real life. I have an action to perform—putting on—but it is God’s armor, not something I’ve purchased or forged or cobbled together. The effectiveness of the armor lies in God’s power. And that brings me to my next verse.

This is what the Lord says: Do not be afraid! Don’t be discouraged by this mighty army, for the battle is not yours, but God’s.

2 Chronicles‬ ‭20‬:‭15‬b NLT‬‬

This is another example of God going before me. And here is another.

Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you.‬‬

Deuteronomy‬ ‭31‬:‭8‬ ‭NLT

But what does he do behind?

You will not leave in a hurry, running for your lives. For the Lord will go ahead of you; yes, the God of Israel will protect you from behind.‬‬

Isaiah‬ ‭52‬:‭12‬ ‭NLT

So if the enemy is prowling around you like a roaring lion, accusing you with your past mistakes or wounding you with fears about the future, remember where God is—before you, behind you, beside you, and providing you with armor and weapons for spiritual warfare. “He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you.‬‬”

I pray you will know God’s presence in your life and I pray that in that knowing you can take up arms and stand.

Grace & Peace,

Sandy

Image created in Canva.