LIVING WATERS
For the proclamation of the Gospel and the edification of the Body of Christ
Behind and Not Ahead
An important lesson for every servant of God is to always go behind the Lord and not ahead. It is a lesson not easy to learn, especially for those who have an impulsive character and for those who know themselves to be intelligent. In the Scriptures we find many salutary examples and teachings about the advisability of going after the Lord and not ahead.
When Peter rebukes the Lord not to go to the cross, the Lord says to him: "Get thee behind me, Satan", meaning that he should follow in his footsteps and not hinder him. Satan wanted to take the initiative and turn the Lord away from the right path. But it is not only Satan who is an obstacle to the Lord's work; we can also be an obstacle. Every time we put our own ideas, our own opinions, we hinder the Lord.
In Joshua chapter 3 we see God's people crossing the Jordan River. The instruction was clear: the ark was to go before the people, and the people were to follow. The ark is Christ. The confidence given by the fact that the ark was to go before the people is evident in the people, who go forward with rest and firm confidence. The Lord must go ahead so that the way is clear and so that we do not make mistakes. By looking to the Lord who goes ahead, our way is assured, for we do not know the path; only the Lord knows it.
In 1 Peter we are told that the Lord gave us an example for us to follow in his footsteps. He alone knows the way, so we must follow in his footsteps. John chapter 8 says that Jesus is the Light of the world, he who follows him will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life. To follow the Lord is to follow him.
Exodus chapter 13 tells us that both in the day and in the night the cloud of God guided Israel in the wilderness. The night represents the time when difficulties and crises occur. Israel also moved forward by night; so must we. They also followed the Lord by day. By day is when our life is on the right track, when everything goes well. But then we need the Lord because we can become conceited in our successes and deserve to be scourged. We must remain humble before the Lord.
In Luke 19 we find Zacchaeus, who was diligent to see the Lord. Being so, the Lord came within his reach. He went through Jericho for that. Among us there are also Zacchaeans -small in spiritual stature, despised- who feel marginalized, undermined. We have to let the Lord go ahead so that he may be seen and known by all Zacchaeans who need him.
Finally, in Mark 17 we see the Lord charging the disciples to go to Galilee, for he will go before them and wait for them there. It is not only our sins that hinder us from following the Lord; also our good initiatives, our brilliant ideas. Let us follow the Lord.