“The breaker is come up before them: they have broken up, and have passed through the gate, and are gone out by it: and their king shall pass before them, and the LORD on the head of them.”

Micah 2:13 KJV

While reading this passage, I was reminded of a young missionary named Gladys Aylward.

She was a British national—uneducated and working as a housemaid—yet deeply determined to go to China as a missionary. She even failed to pass the training provided by the China Inland Mission. Still, her determination did not waver. She saved her money and boarded a train to China, traveling through dangerous war zones, crossing treacherous routes through Japan to finally reach China.

She preached with whatever ability she had. At one point, she calmed a violent prison riot, after which the Chinese people called her a virtuous woman. She once bought a five-year-old malnourished girl for nine pence. That little girl later brought another child, and eventually Gladys found herself caring for over one hundred orphaned children.

When war broke out with Japan, Gladys provided valuable information to the Chinese troops, and the Japanese placed a bounty on her head. Despite the danger, she was determined to lead the hundred orphan children to safety at a government orphanage in a place called Sian.

She shepherded them on foot—sometimes finding shelter, other times spending nights on mountain slopes. On the twelfth day, they reached the Yellow River. The children asked, “Why don’t we cross?” She replied that there was no way. The children answered, “God can do anything—ask Him to get us across.” They began to sing and pray together.

A Chinese officer heard their singing and arranged for a boat. They crossed safely and continued their journey until the children were handed over to safety. Gladys collapsed shortly afterward, suffering from pneumonia, fever, malnutrition, and exhaustion.

She gave everything so that the children could live, leaving behind a powerful legacy.

This is an inspiring journey of a young woman who went before the children—not in her own strength, but because Jesus went before her.

Though this message in Micah was originally given to the prophet Micah for people in exile, the Breaker is revealed as Jesus Christ—the One who breaks chains of sin and oppression and leads His people into freedom. This Word brings hope, reminding us that the Lord Himself will shepherd His people and go before them.

The story of Gladys and the promise of God together testify that Jesus breaks every obstacle. Through His death and resurrection, He made a way. He goes before us, making every crooked path straight, leading us toward victory.

Be encouraged in the journey you are in, for the Lord Himself goes before you.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, thank You for going before us as our Breaker and Shepherd. Strengthen our faith to trust You in every journey and help us walk boldly, knowing You have already made the way. Amen.