David, in Psalm 103:2, encourages the listeners of this particular “tune-age” to “Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits” . . . this morning, I’m finding myself still discovering benefits . . . being blessed by considerations of the wonderful extent of my salvation . . . in awe of another part of the inventory of what I possess as a child of God. This morning, I’m reminded that God has my back . . . for real!!! . . . unreal!!!

Isaiah 58 is an encouragement to God’s people to act like God’s people. God, through Isaiah, addresses those who seek God daily . . . who delight to know His ways . . . who take delight in approaching God (58:2). And in addressing them, He warns them, against showy piety . . . against religious pursuit motivated by an expectation of personal benefit . . . and instead encourages them to pursue practical righteousness. They fasted . . . they afflicted their souls . . . but, so they said, God did not take notice (58:3). Instead, says the Lord, the fasting He’s looking for is to loose the bonds of wickedness . . . to undo the heavy burdens . . . to let the oppressed go free . . . to share your bread with the hungry . . . to bring to your house the poor who are cast out . . . to cover the naked . . . to not retreat into our own little worlds, but to live out His kingdom on this earth (58:6-8). It’s a call to live for God . . . to “honor Him, not doing you own ways, nor finding your own pleasure, nor speaking your own words” (58:13b).

“Go for it,” says the LORD. Live out your faith . . . be imitators of Me . . . let your actions align with the logical implications of your faith . . . step out . . . take a risk . . . in My name . . . for My kingdom. James would call it “pure and undefiled religion” (James 1:27).

And what does God assure those who take up the challenge . . . who decide to live what they say . . . who perhaps step out of their comfort zone? God says, “Then your light shall break forth like the morning, your healing shall spring forth speedily, and your righteousness shall go before you; The glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard.” (58:8) Read that underlined part again . . . that’s what caught my eye . . . that’s what touched my heart . . . that’s what caused my soul to exclaim, “Wow!” The glory of the Lord has my back!

It’s the picture of the pillar of cloud by day and fire by night that led Israel out of Egypt . . . the pillar of God’s presence and power that shielded them from the vengeful Egyptian army as they crossed the Red Sea. And, that same glory that was their rear guard is the glory that has my back.

Seems kind of simple (the promises of God usually are) . . . but not easy (living for God often isn’t) . . . if I’ll live for Him . . . letting His Spirit lead where He determines . . . undertaking the work He has prepared in advance for me . . . then He’ll enable . . . and guard . . . and protect . . . and be ever present. “Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer; you shall cry, and He will say, ‘Here I am'”. (58:9) Who’s got my back? God!

Sometimes I don’t “go for it” out of fear . . . but “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind” (2Tim. 1:7). When I really get hold of the fact that He wants to leads and that He has promised to provide the rear guard, then I’m thinking the spirit of fear will fade . . . the power will be experienced . . . love will be the great motivator . . . and Holy Spirit controlled sound thinking will be apparent.

How assuring is it to know that God has my back? . . . pretty! Sure, it would be easier if I could see the pillar right there behind me . . . zapping enemies . . . parting seas. But that’s not the walk of faith. For this morning, it’s enough to know that God’s word says it . . . and mine is to believe it . . . and live in light of it . . . and worship Him because of it.

You gotta’ love the promises of God . . . amen?