God Goes Before Us: Trusting in His Preemptive Love and Care – Weekly Devotional
Introduction
This Message explores the concept of God’s preemptive love and care for His people. It emphasises that God answers prayers and provides for needs even before we ask or realise we need help. The speaker shares personal experiences and biblical examples to illustrate how God works ahead of time in our lives, preparing us for challenges and offering comfort and guidance. The sermon encourages believers to trust in God’s foresight and to cultivate a deeper relationship with Him through prayer and reading Scripture,Watch the video and reflect on the reading.
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Key Points:
– God answers before we call and hears while we are still speaking
– God prepares us for future challenges we don’t yet know about
– Jesus’ foreknowledge of Peter’s denial and provision for his restoration
– The importance of spending time with God to recognize His work in our lives
– God’s eternal love and choice of us even before creation
– The significance of maintaining a heart-centered relationship with God
– The promise of eternal life and God’s preparation of a place for us in heaven
Scripture Reference:
– Isaiah 65:24 – “Before they call, I will answer; while they are still speaking, I will hear.”
Stories:
– The speaker’s daughter Eden’s cancer diagnosis and God’s preparation through a highlighted Bible verse
– The birth of the speaker’s son Jesse and God’s message to spend more time in prayer
– Jesse’s heart surgery and God’s encouragement through a timely Bible story
– Peter’s denial of Jesus and Christ’s preemptive plan for restoration
– The discovery of Ruby Falls as a metaphor for faith during dark times
π Daily Reading Plan
Day 1: God Goes Before Us
Reading: Isaiah 65:24, Deuteronomy 1:30
Devotional: Today’s verses remind us that God is always one step ahead, preparing the way for us. Just as He answered before the call in Isaiah, He goes before us in our battles as promised in Deuteronomy. Reflect on a time when you felt God had prepared something for you before you even knew you needed it. How does knowing that God anticipates your needs change your perspective on current challenges? Today, practice looking for signs of God’s preemptive work in your life, and thank Him for His foresight and care.
Day 2: Trust in the Midst of Trials
Reading: Isaiah 51:3, Romans 8:28
Devotional: The story of Eden’s cancer diagnosis reminds us that even in our darkest moments, God is working. He provides comfort and turns wastelands into gardens. Consider the “deserts” in your life – areas that feel barren or hopeless. How might God be preparing to transform these areas? Write down one area where you’re struggling to see God’s work and commit to trusting Him with it today, believing that He is working all things for good.
Day 3: God’s Foreknowledge and Love
Reading: Jeremiah 1:5, Ephesians 1:4-5
Devotional: Today’s passages emphasize God’s intimate knowledge of us even before we were born. This foreknowledge is coupled with His boundless love. Reflect on the profound truth that God chose you in Christ before the foundation of the world. How does this impact your sense of worth and purpose? Take time to meditate on God’s personal love for you, and consider how you can live today in light of being chosen and deeply loved by Him.
Day 4: Forgiveness and Restoration
Reading: Mark 14:66-72, John 21:15-19
Devotional: Peter’s story of denial and restoration illustrates God’s incredible grace. Even when we fail, God’s love and forgiveness go before us. Are there areas in your life where you feel you’ve failed God or others? Remember that Jesus’ forgiveness precedes your repentance. Write a prayer of confession and receive God’s forgiveness afresh. Then, like Peter, listen for Jesus’ call to “follow me” anew, embracing the restoration He offers.
Day 5: Hope in Suffering
Reading: John 14:1-4, Revelation 21:4
Devotional: Life’s trials can sometimes obscure our view of God’s goodness. Today’s readings remind us of the ultimate hope we have in Christ – a future free from pain and filled with God’s presence. How does this eternal perspective change how you view your current struggles? Identify one difficult situation you’re facing and write down how it might look different in light of eternity. Close by thanking God for the home He’s preparing for you and the comfort this brings in present sufferings.
π¬ Discussion Question
How have you experienced God answering your prayers before you even asked? Can you share a time when you felt God was preparing you for something you didn’t yet know was coming?
The sermon mentions Peter’s denial of Jesus and subsequent forgiveness. How does this story challenge or encourage you in your own struggles with guilt and forgiveness?
In what ways do you find it difficult to trust that God is going before you in your battles? How might developing a deeper relationship with God impact this trust?
The speaker emphasizes the importance of spending time with God in the morning. What barriers do you face in establishing a consistent practice of prayer and Bible reading, and how might you overcome them?
How does the concept of God knowing and loving us ‘before we were born’ impact your understanding of your own worth and purpose?
The sermon uses the metaphor of Ruby Falls to describe life’s journey. In what ways does this metaphor resonate with your own spiritual experiences?
How do you reconcile the idea of God going before us with times when you feel abandoned or ignored by God?
The speaker quotes Rob Reamer, saying God is more concerned with our hearts than our behaviors. How does this perspective challenge or affirm your view of your relationship with God?
In light of the sermon’s emphasis on God’s foreknowledge and preparation, how might this change the way you approach uncertain or challenging situations in your life?
The sermon touches on the promise of a new earth without pain or sorrow. How does this future hope influence your perspective on current struggles and hardships?
π£Closing Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank you for your unwavering presence in our lives. Even before we face our challenges, you go ahead of us, preparing the way. Help us to trust in your plan, seek your guidance, and find peace in your promises. Strengthen our faith, so we can walk confidently, knowing we are never alone. Amen.
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