Before me, even as behind, God is, and all is well.

Hear, O children of the Earth, the words of John Greenleaf Whittier, spoken from the depths of the soul: "Before me, even as behind, God is, and all is well." These words, simple yet profound, express a truth of the highest order—that God is present in every moment of our lives, both in the past and in the future, and that in the divine embrace of His presence, all is well. Whittier, like many of the ancient sages, reminds us that God's presence is not bound by time or circumstance. He is not only with us in the moments of joy and triumph but also in the moments of sorrow and uncertainty. God’s presence is both the beginning and the end, and in this knowledge, we find peace.

In the ancient wisdom of the mystics, there was often an understanding that God’s presence transcends all things. The Stoics taught that to live in harmony with nature was to recognize that divine providence guides all things. They believed that the divine is in everything, whether in moments of glory or hardship. The ancient Hebrews, too, understood that God was both behind them and before them, watching over them at all times. Whittier’s words echo this ancient truth: God is eternal, ever-present, and all-encompassing. Whether we face the unknown future or reflect on the past, God is there, and with His presence, all is well.

Consider the story of King David, who, though a man after God’s own heart, faced great trials. As he fled from his enemies, he often cried out to God, seeking reassurance in his darkest moments. And yet, David knew deeply that God was with him, both before him and behind him, guarding him at every turn. In the Psalms, we see David’s acknowledgment that God’s presence surrounds him: “You hem me in behind and before, and You lay Your hand upon me” (Psalm 139:5). David, even in the midst of his struggles, found comfort in knowing that God was always with him, guiding him, even when he could not see the way. Before him and behind him, God was, and in this truth, David found peace and courage.

This same truth resonates in the life of the Apostle Paul, who faced persecution, imprisonment, and great suffering. Yet, in his letters, Paul continually reminds believers that God’s presence is with them. In the face of his own trials, he declared with unwavering confidence, "If God is for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8:31). Paul’s faith rested not on the absence of hardship but on the presence of God in every moment, knowing that God was with him both in the past and in the future. Even in the midst of uncertainty, Paul’s heart found peace because he trusted that God was always ahead of him and behind him, guiding him with divine purpose.

The lesson of Whittier’s words is one of deep peace and trust: that God’s presence is constant, regardless of the circumstances we face. No matter what has passed, no matter what we may encounter in the future, God is with us. His eternal presence is a source of strength, comfort, and unshakable peace. When we live with this understanding, we find that all is well—not because we are free from pain or fear, but because we know that God is with us through it all, leading us with love and wisdom. God’s presence is our anchor, keeping us grounded in the midst of life’s storms.

What, then, should we do with this truth? The first step is to recognize that God’s presence is always with us. When we face difficulties, when we feel uncertain or lost, let us remember that before us and behind us, God is. We are never alone, for the Creator of the universe watches over us. When we step into the future, we do so with confidence, knowing that God is ahead of us, guiding our steps. When we look to the past, we see that God has always been with us, shaping our journey, even through the most difficult of times.

In our own lives, let us live with the certainty that God’s presence surrounds us, both in our joys and in our struggles. Let His presence be our guide, our strength, and our peace. In all things, whether we look ahead with hope or behind with reflection, know that God is with us, and in this truth, we will find that all is well.