Covered – Front and Back

Photo by Billy Pasco (unsplash)

Have you ever heard the term “I got your back?” When we, close friends or family members find ourselves in an adversity or obstacles, we need the support of one another. To reassure each other we sometimes use the term “I got your back,” meaning that we’re in this together with you regardless what happens, you’re not alone, you have my help to do this together. This gives us the reassurance that we can overcome whatever the situation may be knowing we have their help.

Looking back, I remember a story of one of my sons who used to walk home with a friend after school each day. They were close friends and played together often. On one occasion his friend was being approached by a “bully,” who was harassing him. When my son began to help his friend, instead of staying in the battle, his friend took off running all the way home and left my son, who was there to help him. This is not a real example for us to use as “I got your back.” We are to stay in the battle and help to the end, not cowardly run away.

One thing we can be assured of, the Lord always has our back when we obey what he tells us to do When Moses had come to the end of his leadership role he had to pass it on to a young leader named Joshua. In the process God commanded Moses to instruct Joshua and assure him with words from God, that God would be his covering by going before him to be his strength. This is recorded in Deuteronomy 31:7-8. In verse 8 we read “and the Lord, He is that doeth go before thee; He will be with thee, He will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.” These words from the Lord were a charge and assurance to Joshua that in his leadership role he would be victorious as long as he trusted Him in obedience. God’s assurance was announced again to his people Israel by the prophet Isaiah in the book of Isaiah 52:12. It says “for ye shall not go out with haste, nor go by flight: for the Lord will go before you; and the God of Israel will be your rereward.” This verse tells us that God was assuring Israel that he was covering them from the front and the back. He wanted Israel to know, as long as they obeyed Him, He would be their overall protection and strength in their restoration process.

Why not trust in the Lord for your own personal battles in life, He will surely be your strength in front of your battle, and behind, to make sure you go through in victory.