When we walk in obedience to God’s commands, He both walks with us and before us. Jesus has already given us victory over sin and death so that as we live, we are free to follow God no matter what may come our way. We are not promised lives of comfort and free of pain. In fact, being followers of Jesus in a broken world means that we will, not that we might, face persecution (Mark 10:30). But just as God told Moses that He had already given King Og into his hands, God has already won the victory over His enemies.

As we live each day, we go forward in confidence living from the victory that Jesus has already won for us. Jesus has defeated sin and death, so in the face of any persecution we will face, we continue striving to live the way He has called us to – with faith and with joy.

• How does knowing that God goes before you and with you give you confidence as you face opposition?