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Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me. Psalm 23:4
This isn’t my favorite verse.
I prefer lying in green meadows beside still waters.
God fills our lives with times lying in the green meadows to strengthen us for the times we must walk.
Even though I walk…
I would be happier if David said “If I walk…”
He didn’t.
I’d prefer he said, “In case I walk…”
He didn’t say that either.
Even though…
“When I walk…”
It's a certainty of life: We all walk through times of suffering.
I prefer to crawl under the bed and tell God to let me know when the whole thing is over.
I want Him to work some miraculous deliverance - and I’ll be sure to give Him all the praise!
But, He says, “Walk.”
- We struggle through a valley of hardship.
- We stumble through shadows of sorrow.
- We suffer through death: death of a dream, of a marriage, of a loved one.
for You are with me.
No matter what, God is with us.
- He’s our guide through the valley.
- He’s our source of light in the shadows.
- He’s our hope when things are falling apart around us.
He never leaves us, never forsakes us.
He might be hard to see; He’s there.
He might be hard to hear; He’s there.
Two certainties:
We will have times of suffering.
He is always here.
Sandwiched between these two truths sits the choice:
I will fear no evil.
Uh-Huh. Sure. Right.
Are you kidding me?
You want me to trust You so much that I’m not afraid?
Uh-Huh. Sure. Right.
If you want me, just look for me hiding in the closet under that pile of old clothes.
It is human nature to be afraid.
It is faith nature to go to Him with our fears and ask Him for peace.
It is human nature to panic.
It is faith nature to turn to Him and ask Him to calm us.
Unfortunately, I seem to be stuck in the human-nature phase.
How do I move to the faith-nature phase?
I don't - God moves me!
- He transforms me
- He carries me
- He loves me
- Slowly He builds my faith
Keep our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith. Hebrews 12:2
Focus on Jesus!
Jesus will create faith within you and you will not fear for He is with you.
Walk on!!!
When has Jesus walked with you through the shadow in the valley.
See, I like this part the best. I find it to be the crux of the entire chapter. From this, I KNOW God's with me, guiding me through the worst parts. I've said this to myself many many times over the years, and God's pulled me through. And you're right in your assessment. Only God can get us through the worst times.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the post...it's given me a different way to look at this chapter. :)
I've been to a Christian Writers Conference in the blue ridge mtns in NC. This past week. BEAUTIFUL!! And inspiring.
ReplyDeleteI'm with you. I'm learning so much. I have a feeling there's going to be a 7 Wonders part 8 ;)