Psalms 23:4
“Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”
Psalms 23:4 NIV
Death is the ultimate profanity in today's world. We don't like to think about it, much less talk about it. However, death is that one reality that will not leave us alone. We lose friends and family members to death. At one point in our lives, we too, will face this inevitability unless Jesus comes before our passing.
So what is our assurance as we face the inescapable? Our Shepherd. He will walk us through, guiding and protecting and comforting us in our journey. And as Christians, this promise is only intensified because we know Jesus as our Good Shepherd, and He has taken the walk ahead of us to assure us that our walk through death's valley doesn't end in death, but in glory.
Fear is everywhere right now, isn’t it? It’s so easy to be afraid. We just turn on the news and the next thing we know, fear is gripping our hearts. With everything going on in the world, there are lots of good reasons to be afraid. But even if our fear is totally justified, we have to be on guard against it.
If we’re not careful, fear will chip away at our faith in God. If we focus totally on all the scary things in the world right now, they can begin to seem even bigger than God. Our goal should be to not let ourselves focus on fear so much that it becomes magnified in our lives.
We are walking through tough times right now. But we’ve got to choose to look to God in the midst of difficulty. We can’t magnify fear to the point that we forget God. God promises to be with us, to protect us and comfort us in the middle of our fear.
We all have times when we go through the valley of the shadow of death and it’s a dark and painful place to be. I have walked through it a few times and I can tell you that even though the situations were excruciatingly painful, I knew God's strength and peace as I walked throughthat horribly dark valley.
This Psalm, which has meant so much to so many, has not lost its powerful impact on all who understand and apply its truths to their own life. The valley of the shadow of death becomes the pathway to life and peace to all Who follow the Good Shepherd Who gave His life for His sheep.
The valley of deep darkness and gloom is flooded with light and hope, for the Son of Righteousness illumines the path of all Who have become sons of light. And as we follow the path that God has scheduled for us throughout life, let us trust Him in all the disappointments and distresses that we may face. For He is with us. Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort us!!!
Father thank You for this day Your amazing grace. Lord let Your abundant blessings flow from the storehouse of heaven over my friend and family today. Lord our Shepherd and Savior, thank You that we do not have to face death alone. We look for Your guidance and listen for Your voice to lead us through death's dark valley and bring us to Your Holy and glorious presence in victory and with joy. Lord use my friend to be Your voice in the wilderness of this world crying to the lost sheep. Be a blessing. Love ya
Father we love You amen.!
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