Trusting the God Who Goes before You - Your Nightly Prayer - April 13th

Trusting the God Who Goes Before You
Your Nightly Prayer
by Chelsey DeMatteis

TONIGHT’S SCRIPTURE

“The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you.” - Deuteronomy 31:8 

SOMETHING TO PONDER

Saying yes to something new can be challenging, even if God has given you the green light go-ahead. There are so many unknowns; they keep us up at night, and we play them out in our minds, imagining how circumstances might go if x, y, or z happens. I felt this way as the Summer of 2022 ended. The Lord had continued to prod my heart about a women’s worship gathering. I just couldn’t let it go. The stir would come at random times, and I’d always wonder, “How will this ever come to be?” 

Gathering people with busy schedules is already a challenge, and gathering women from all walks of life to come together for a night of worship felt even more difficult. As if that alone wasn’t enough to keep me asking a million questions about how this would come to pass, the Lord always made it clear this event was not to be held in a church. This specific directive was non-negotiable. It felt weird, but certain if that makes sense. God has a way of doing that to those who will follow Him, even if they cannot see exactly what He’s doing. So, I told him again, “You’ll have to make it undeniably clear when I’m to do this.”

And He did. I read two books over the course of June and July that gave me confidence in what I was to do, regardless of how many would attend. I booked a small shelter at a park down the road from home, printed 100 “Hear Her Story Women’s Worship Gathering” flyers, and handed all the details over to Jesus. I didn’t have sound equipment, I didn’t have a screen, but I had a heart being told in the way to go. As the evening approached, I had no idea who would be showing up. I knew a few friends who were planning to come, but for all I knew, everyone could bail. For all I knew, it could’ve ended up being a night of just me and Jesus. And I was at peace with that. 

I showed up an hour early and got the park tables pushed together. My dear friend showed up with her speaker to play the songs, and we laid out sheets of paper with the lyrics. Then we prayed and wondered who would show up. 16 ladies came. Friends and some people I’d never met before. Is the number earth-shattering? By the world's standards, no. But to me, I knew the Lord looked at the evening with such delight. He made the plans, carved out the way, and brought forth fruit that I couldn’t see coming. When we finally wrapped up the evening, I knew it was only the beginning of something God was doing, and since that first event in September 2022, we have served over 300 women at all of our Hear Her Story gatherings! Can you believe it?! Sometimes I can’t, but then I remember what God stirs and confirms He will provide all the needs we have. There is no need to worry and fret over “what could be if something goes south”. If we are as well-prepared as we can be and show up with the best we have to offer to the Lord, we can trust that God with all the details He has planned since the first stir of the heart. 

This story in my own life reminds me of Nehemiah. His heart was stirred to rebuild the city of Jerusalem. He prayed, fasted, and waited on the Lord to open all the doors he needed to walk out the call. God moved in the hearts of others, many others, might I add. A king and a whole group of men! Nehemiah was able to trust each step of the way because he watched God remain faithful as he kept walking through the doors that were opening for him.  Nehemiah 2:11-18 - 11 says:

I went to Jerusalem, and after staying there three days I set out during the night with a few others. I had not told anyone what my God had put in my heart to do for Jerusalem. There were no mounts with me except the one I was riding on. By night I went out through the Valley Gate toward the Jackal Well and the Dung Gate, examining the walls of Jerusalem, which had been broken down, and its gates, which had been destroyed by fire. Then I moved on toward the Fountain Gate and the King’s Pool, but there was not enough room for my mount to get through; so I went up the valley by night, examining the wall. Finally, I turned back and reentered through the Valley Gate. The officials did not know where I had gone or what I was doing, because as yet I had said nothing to the Jews or the priests or nobles or officials or any others who would be doing the work. Then I said to them, “You see the trouble we are in: Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been burned with fire. Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, and we will no longer be in disgrace.” I also told them about the gracious hand of my God on me and what the king had said to me. They replied, “Let us start rebuilding.” So they began this good work. 

The same God that went before Nehemiah goes before you and me. What He stirs in our hearts and confirms as we seek Him, we must follow. Even if it feels like blind trust, we can trust the heart of our Creator. Our faith grows exponentially when we watch God do the unimaginable in our lives! Ask yourself, what is the thing that you know God has asked you to do? Then, once you answer that, what is keeping you from doing it? Is it worry about what others may think? Are you fearful of what “could happen”? Trust. Wait. Pray. Seek the prayers of another believer and then make a move when God opens the first door. Allow Him to lead and do not delay, He has already gone before you! 

YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER

Lord,
There are situations that worry me, and there are calls to action you’ve given me that feel too big to take on. Please wash your peace over me. Remind me that you are with me and that I do not have to be anxious or afraid. I can hand every concern over to you and trust them in your care. Father, the stirrings of my heart, while they are amazing, have me wondering how you will ever bring them to fruition. Please give me the courage and boldness to trust what you’re doing and walk forward in faith through the doors you’re opening. Keep me tethered to your heart and listening for your direction.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen. 

THREE THINGS TO MEDITATE UPON

1. Do I trust that God has gone before me?
2. Have I chosen not to follow a call on my heart from the Holy Spirit due to fear?
3. What scripture can I pray that stills my Spirit when I need courage to keep going?

Reflect on tonight’s prayer and share how God met you there. Join the Your Nightly Prayer discussion on the Crosswalk Forum.

Photo Credit: ©Unsplash/Arzu Sendag

Chelsey is the voice behind the Living with Less Podcast and author of the 52-week devotional More of Him, Less of Me: Living a Christ-centered Life in a Me-centered World. She writes devotions for Lifeway Women's Journey Magazine, Crosswalk.com, and iBelieve.com. She also writes Bible reading plans for the YouVersion Bible App. Chelsey lives in Ohio with her husband and two children. You can connect with her on Instagram @chelseydematteis and at her website ChelseyDeMatteis.com.

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