You Are Not Alone

Psalm 23:4

“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.”

The Valley of the Shadow of death!!!

Have you ever been there?  It is not a pleasant place to find yourself. These words can take on different meanings for different people. Whatever picture these words paint in your mind and heart, whatever circumstance has led you to this place, I must tell you don’t stop!!!!  Keep moving THROUGH that valley. God didn’t design you and I to camp out in the valley. Don’t listen to someone else’s story, walk out your own story. The one that God has ordained for you.

Life is a journey and each one of us has to walk through the valleys before us.  Valleys are a place of learning, growing, even a place of fruitfulness but valleys were never intended for a place to camp or reside.  We are to move through them.  

We are also assured the no matter what the enemy (evil) puts before us, He is with us.

Hebrews 13:5 says that “He would never leave you or forsake you”.

David said, “For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me”.

The rod and staff of a shepherd represents protection, correction and comfort.  With the rod and staff the shepherd brings direction to the sheep so they don’t stray to far from the flock.  They also are used in defense of the sheep.  

Whatever you are facing, He is with you.  Trust the Good Shepherd to keep you through the valley of the shadow of death.  He is with you. You are not alone!

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, I trust you with my life.  Thank You for your protection and guidance as I walk through the difficult places in my life.  Let my life story reflect a heart of faith and trust in You. In Jesus Name. Amen,  

Don’t Give Up

Many years ago when Gina and I were first married, she had been out to a garage sale and was so excited as she came into the house. She had found an old chest of drawers. It had been used, painted and probably past around from family to family over the years. She asked if I thought it would be difficult to strip down and refinish. We donned the gloves and face mask, applied the remover and sat back as it bubbles up and did it’s thing. Scrapping off the top, sides and front was fairly quick and easy but when it came to the rolled edges, there were so many small little hard to reach places that it seemed to take forever. At one point we considered either painting over it or just giving up. It didn’t cost but a few dollars and we had only invested a couple of evenings of work on it. We decided to finish the task and were very pleased with the end results. Several months later the chest became a part of our first born son’s nursery furniture. It would later be used for our other children and then past on to our son when he married and had children of his own.

David said in the 23rd Psalms verse 3. “He restores my soul; He leads me in paths of righteousness for His Name's sake”.

The choices we make can leave us feeling tired,worn even used up and not worth much. Life can wear us down. Many give in to the overwhelming feeling of worthlessness and allow the whisper’s of the evil one to convince them there is no hope.

Jesus Christ is our hope!!

He brings restoration to those who surrender to Him. Restoration of body soul and spirit.

His restoration of our life is a process. It begins when we surrender to Him through salvation but it is a life long process. You see, we have little places in our life much like that old chest. Thing out of sight, not blatantly visible but the Master Restorer sees those places of imperfection and refuses to give up on us. He patiently works on our lif with gentle reminders of His truth to work on those stubborn spots.

He is leading us in paths of righteousness for His Name’s sake.

The paths of righteousness are the paths of Truth that put us in right standing with God. As we walk those paths of truth and Father God looks upon us He sees His Name, the Name of Jesus upon us.

“Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.””

​​Acts​ ​4:12​ ​NKJV​​

Jesus Christ brought restoration to us all. That we might be called by His Name.

Will you follow Him?

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I come to you in the Name of Jesus Christ. I ask you to help me walk in the restoration and righteousness that You have provided through Your Son Jesus. Thank You Father for this gift if grace. In Jesus Name. Amen.