God Goes Before You
Holy Spirit often leads us in a direction we cannot fully understand, but we can trust the nudge because he is already working where he is leading us. Jesus prepared his disciples for this reality in John 16:5–11. They knew Jesus was leaving, but they could not see that his road to the Father would pass through the cross, the grave, the resurrection, and the ascension. What appeared to be defeat would actually become victory.
The resurrection overturns the world’s verdict about Jesus. The world rejected him, but the Father vindicated him by raising him from the dead. Holy Spirit reveals that Jesus is right about who he is and the life he calls us to live. The enemy may still resist God’s purposes, but resistance is not authority. The future belongs to the risen Jesus.
Following Holy Spirit does not guarantee an easy road. Moses walked through the wilderness, Joseph went through prison, and Daniel faced the lions’ den. Difficult circumstances did not cancel God’s purpose for their lives. “A rough road does not mean you missed God.” Faithfulness means continuing to follow when we know Holy Spirit has led us, even when we cannot yet see where the road ends.
Our obedience also becomes part of what Holy Spirit is already doing in others. We cannot force people to believe, but we can speak, serve, pray, and obey. Philip discovered this when Holy Spirit sent him toward the Ethiopian official in Acts 8. God was already at work before Philip arrived. “Most of the time, I have found we have to first step out before we find out why we’re stepping out.”
The nudge is an invitation to join God where he is already working. “We may not know where it’s going, but Holy Spirit knows where He’s leading us.” We can follow with confidence because he goes before us.
As you reflect on this message this week, consider the following:
- A rough road does not mean you missed God. Jesus knew where the road was leading even when the disciples could not see beyond the difficulty ahead. Where have you been tempted to interpret resistance or difficulty as evidence that God is no longer leading you?
- The enemy is defeated, and resistance is not authority. The enemy may still resist what God is doing, but he cannot reverse the resurrection, remove Jesus from the throne, or determine the future of God’s people. Where have you allowed resistance to make you question whether you can confidently follow Holy Spirit?
- The nudge leads us toward the place where God is already working. Philip obeyed before he understood why, only to discover that God had already prepared an opportunity on the road ahead. What nudge have you been waiting to understand before you obey? What would taking the next step look like this week?