The God of Prepositions

In a recent conversation, I was talking with a friend who was struggling with anxiety. I encouraged her to overcome the thoughts and feelings that were stealing her joy by holding on to the truth: God is IN her. 

As we talked, I began to speak about God being WITH her. A few moments later, I mentioned a verse that God is BEHIND her and IN FRONT of her.

I laughed and said, “It’s like He’s the God of all the prepositions.” In the same moment, we both laughed at that silly statement that actually carries great power. 

God of the prepositions.

It takes me back to elementary school, sitting in my fifth-grade classroom learning grammar rules. My teacher explained prepositions as “anywhere a squirrel can go.” 

I never forgot it. “Anywhere a squirrel can go..." under, behind, up, around… now replaced decades later with, “anywhere God is.”

In our anxious moments, we often picture God somewhere far off. But God’s Word tell us a very different truth: God is near. He is present. He is active. He surrounds us, indwells us, goes before us, and holds us up.

I’ve included some verses to remind us what God says about Himself. I pray you will read them slowly and allow them to settle deep in your spirit. Let each one answer the questions of your heart.  

The Lord your God is in your midst,

A victorious warrior.

He will rejoice over you with joy,

He will be quiet in His love,

He will rejoice over you with shouts of joy.

- Zephaniah 3:17

Do not fear, for I am with you;

Do not be afraid, for I am your God.

I will strengthen you, I will also help you,

I will also uphold you with My righteous right hand.

- Isaiah 41:10

Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?

– 1 Corinthians 3:16

You have encircled me behind and in front,

And placed Your hand upon me.

- Psalm 139: 5-11

When he puts all his own sheep outside, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. 

- John 10:4

The eternal God is a hiding place,

And underneath are the everlasting arms;

- Deuteronomy 33:27

You are my hiding place; You keep me from trouble;

You surround me with songs of deliverance. Selah

- Psalm 32:7

But I, declares the Lord, will be a wall of fire to her on all sides, and I will be the glory in her midst.

- Zechariah 2:5

One God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all.

- Ephesians 4:6

God is so far beyond “where a squirrel can go.”

He is:

Over you.

In you.

With you.

Behind you.

Ahead of you.

Surrounding you.

Whatever you’re facing today—decisions, grief, uncertainty, fear—remember the truth: 

You are not abandoned or forgotten.

You are never asked to walk alone. 

There is nowhere you can go where God is not already there.

He truly is the God of all prepositions.

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