God never calls His people into a promise without first preparing the path. In Exodus 23:20–33, He reminds Israel, and us, that His presence is not distant or passive. He sends His angel ahead of them, guarding, guiding, and clearing the way long before they take a single step. Obedience becomes a covering. When God’s people listen to His voice, He stands against anything that rises against them. Their enemies become His enemies, not because they are perfect, but because they belong to Him. And the victory comes gradually. God does not rush the process. He removes obstacles little by little so the land won’t overwhelm them. Sometimes the slow pace is not a delay, it’s protection. It’s preparation. It’s wisdom. But there is a warning woven into the promise: no covenants with other gods. No compromise. No blending truth with what enslaves. Faithfulness keeps the heart free and the future secure. This passage reveals a God who leads with strength, protects with purpose, and establishes His people with care. He doesn’t just give a destination, He shapes the traveler. He doesn’t just promise victory, He walks His people into it.

It reads in the bible:

“I am sending an angel before you to protect you along the way and to lead you to the place that I have prepared for you. Obey the angel and follow him. Be careful in his presence, and don’t rebel against him. The angel will not forgive the wrong things you do to him. He has my power in him. If you listen to what he says and do everything I tell you, then I will be an enemy to all of your enemies. I will be against everyone who is against you. “My angel will lead you through the land. He will lead you against many different people, the Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Canaanites, Hivites, and Jebusites. But I will defeat all of them.

 “Don’t worship their gods. Don’t ever bow down to those gods. You must never live the way those people live. You must destroy their idols. And you must break the stones that help them remember their gods. You must serve the Lord your God. If you do this, I will bless you with plenty of bread and water. I will take away all sickness from you.  Your women will all be able to have babies. None of their babies will die at birth. And I will allow you to live long lives.

“When you fight against your enemies, I will send my great power before you. I will help you defeat all your enemies. The people who are against you will become confused in battle and run away.  I will send the hornet in front of you. He will force your enemies to leave. The Hivites, Canaanites, and Hittites will leave your country.  But I will not force all of them out of your land quickly. I will not do this in only one year. The land will be empty if I force the people out too fast. Then all the wild animals would increase and control the land. And they would be much trouble for you. So I will force them out of your land very slowly. I will do this as you grow and eventually take the land to be your own.

“I will give you all the land from the Red Sea to the Mediterranean Sea, and from the desert of Sinai to the Euphrates River. I will let you defeat the people living there and force them all to leave.

 “You must not make any agreements with any of those people or their gods.  Don’t let them stay in your country. If you let them stay, they will be like a trap to you, they will cause you to sin against me. And you will begin worshiping their gods.” Exodus 23:20-33 Easy:

Father God, thank You and praise You for going before me. Thank You for guarding my steps, guiding my decisions, and preparing the way even when I cannot see it. Teach me to listen to Your voice and trust Your timing. Keep my heart faithful and free from anything that pulls me away from You. Drive out every fear, every distraction, and every compromise that tries to settle in my life. Establish me in the place You have prepared and let Your presence be my confidence. Love You, thank You, praise You and give You all the honor and glory in Jesus Precious Name Amen.