Dec 13 Alpha and Omega

"Thus says the Lord, the King of Israel and his Redeemer, the Lord of hosts: I am the first and I am the last; besides me there is no god" Isaiah 44:6

And he who sat upon the throne said, "Behold, I make all things new." Also he said, "Write this, for these words are trustworthy and true." And he said to me, "It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. Revelation 22:13
Alpha is the first letter of the Greek alphabet, and omega is the last letter of the alphabet. God is "the beginning and the end." Everything in-between is subject to Him!

I take great comfort in knowing that Jesus goes before us. He has been with the Father since the beginning and will be forevermore. 

For you shall not go out in haste,

and you shall not go in flight,

for the Lord will go before you,

and the God of Israel will be your rear guard. Isaiah 52:12

Jesus leads us into every situation, going before us to make firm ground, smooth out the wrinkles, making a way. He creates peace where there has been conflict. Ask Him to go before you and He will! 

He also is your rear guard, He brings resolution where there has been confusion, He protects us and brings closure. Ask Him to be your rear guard!

Last year we went to Colombia on a mission trip.  Jesus was certainly going before us and was our rear guard. Upon arriving to the Cartegena airport our team went to customs. We had 14 bags full of lice kits and materials to share with a poor community.  We were so excited to share the Love of Jesus with them and treat them to a day of pampering and de-licing.  As we stepped up to the processing counter the woman said, "I am sorry but you need special permission to bring these lice kits into the country". I ran to all of the team members and pleaded for them to pray for God to go before us and make a way, and to be our rear guard. Then I stood in front of the woman in my best Spanish and begged for her to have mercy on the children. This is for them, I pleaded in the name of Jesus to share His love with them.  God was at work! In a matter of moments, her countenance changed and she sweetly told us to bring paperwork the next time that we came. As our team ushered out of that area, 14 suitcases full of supplies we knew that God had been our Alpha and Omega.  He had brought us through and was orchestrating the trip!

Do you need Jesus to go before you into a difficult situation? He promises that He will, so ask Him to! Do you need Him to come after and protect you? Ask Him to He promises that He will!

Prayer

Holy Alpha and Omega, I praise you for always being with us and going before us.  Thank you for showing us your deep love for us and being our rear guard.  Help me to ask for your protection and guidance.