
Yesterday I decided to go for a long reef walk with my husband. We had the rare opportunity to go alone, enjoying a peaceful prayer walk while taking in the ocean breeze and some much-needed sunshine.
While we were walking, I heard someone walking behind us. I thought perhaps we were walking too slowly and that I should move aside. I turned around to see how close the person was, but no one was there. I thought maybe I was just hearing my own footsteps.
We continued walking up the mountain, and again I heard footsteps right behind me. I turned around, and again no one was there.
After standing at the lookout, giving thanks and appreciation for our town and city, we began walking back down the mountain. As we continued down, I heard footsteps behind me for a third time. I turned around and saw no one.
I looked at my husband and said,
“Do you hear footsteps behind us? I keep hearing someone walking behind us!”
He replied, “Yes! You can hear it too? I’ve been hearing it the whole time, that’s why I kept turning around.”
In that moment I realised it was the Lord showing us His nearness— He is the protector and rear guard of His people. He never leaves His people alone. He goes before us, He stands behind us, and He surrounds those He loves.
He stations His angels to encamp around those who fear Him and delivers them.
Psalm 34:7 says, “The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him, and delivers them.”
I believe this is a prophetic reminder for many who may feel that God is far off or distant in times of need.
Even David wrestled with this feeling. In Psalm 10:1 he prayed, “Why, Lord, do You stand far off? Why do You hide Yourself in times of trouble?”
Yet later David declares in Psalm 139:5, “You have hedged me behind and before, and laid Your hand upon me.”
God was reminding David and reminding us; that even when we cannot see Him, He is both before us and behind us.
I hear the heart of the Father saying,
“Set your gaze on the narrow path before you. Do not look fearfully to your left or to your right. Keep your eyes on Me. For you shall not go out with haste, nor go by flight. I, the Lord, will go before you, and I, the God of Israel, will be your rear guard. Have I not protected you, provided for you, and led you out of every trouble? And I will do it again, and again still. Put your trust in Me. Do not depend on your own wisdom. Seek My will in all you do, and I will show you which path to take. Remember this day who goes before you, who goes behind you, and who carries you when you can no longer carry yourself. I love you with an everlasting love. Nothing is too much for Me to handle, and nothing is too hard for Me to conquer.”
And as it is written in Isaiah 41:10,
“Fear not, for I am with you;
Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”
— Kaylie Hollins
















