Psalm
23
A
psalm of David.
1 The Lord is my
shepherd;
I have all that I need.
2 He lets me rest in green meadows;
he leads me beside peaceful streams.
3 He renews my strength.
He guides me along right paths,
bringing honor to his name.
4 Even when I walk
through the darkest valley,
I will not be afraid,
for you are close beside me.
Your rod and your staff
protect and comfort me.
5 You prepare a feast for me
in the presence of my enemies.
You honor me by anointing my head with oil.
My cup overflows with blessings.
6 Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me
all the days of my life,
and I will live in the house of the Lord
forever. (NLT)
I have all that I need.
2 He lets me rest in green meadows;
he leads me beside peaceful streams.
3 He renews my strength.
He guides me along right paths,
bringing honor to his name.
4 Even when I walk
through the darkest valley,
I will not be afraid,
for you are close beside me.
Your rod and your staff
protect and comfort me.
5 You prepare a feast for me
in the presence of my enemies.
You honor me by anointing my head with oil.
My cup overflows with blessings.
6 Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me
all the days of my life,
and I will live in the house of the Lord
forever. (NLT)
I went back to my home country back
in 2003. That had only been 3 years after working in the correctional facility.
I was involved in a spiritual battle literally fighting against unseen enemies.
I was only a baby Christian then. Not aware of how to fight back. I knew I had
no option but to consult the Mighty Warrior Jesus. With tears, I asked Him I
was afraid and that I didn’t know how to face the weird things the enemies were
hurling with my own loved ones to cause division among us.
Reflecting back on the
Lord’s response, I know now that most of the time, though mighty and awesome He
is, He answered me in the quietest way I sensed. I opened the Bible and the
first verse I saw was Ephesians 6:10 That night, He made me remember my mother’s
favorite psalm. Psalm 23.
Peace and courage flooded my heart. I understood at
that moment. The battle was His and in order for me to be successful in dealing
with the enemies, I had to fully trust and depend on Him. Fast forward, I’m
very grateful the Lord had trained me in that arena. With inevitable trials
that come into my life, I am choosing to live by faith and not fear. To always
fold my hands and bend my knees in constant prayer with anything that comes my
way, be it trials or successes. He deserves all the glory. He deserves my
thanks. I know I’m nothing without Him.
As we face this pandemic and all the
restrictions placed on people all over the world, let us go to the foot of the
cross. I pray God gives us the spiritual discernment, to see what truly is the
truth vs. the lies. May your fears be buried in the grounds of His love and grace. I feel
all this political circus taking advantage of this pandemic to instill fear,
to put out lies to people. But trust in God. Jesus after all, had overcome the world! God
bless you all.
The media is speaking so many lies; they don't cover up anymore in their deception. Without Christ and His direction through the Word, I know my response would be fear also. I'm thanking Him with you tonight as I read this and blessed to know His truth and protection. Psalm 23 says it so well. Praying for you, dear sister, as we seek Jesus for the transition that's coming. I'm reading The Fear of the Lord by John Bevere and praying for our nation to get back to that type of respect for Father God as well as myself too. I dream of getting back to our nation's beginnings and trusting the Lord more. Hugs to you!
ReplyDeleteSo thankful sister Mary for your visit! And you pray with me all the time. I know that even through here, He is in the midst where 2 or 3 are gathered! I had seen blinders with my own eyes back when I had that spiritual battle. But put out under His light, the lies and deceptions were so clearly seen! I remind myself and my family that it's so easy to be angry when we hear lies from the news but we forget, God tells us to be slow to anger and that... in reality, the battle is in the spiritual realm. Indeed, you're right! We have turn away from the Lord here and there and daily repentance is what we need to do. He's calling "His children" "His People" most of all to be humble, pray and seek Him "and turn from wicked ways", He'll hear us and heal our land! It's good to have "fear" but only of fear of the Lord and I'm glad you mentioned that book. Oh how I miss those times when it's not politically correct. Blessings to you sister and hugs and prayers always.
ReplyDeleteAmen! I am so tired of all the negativity we're being bombarded with, and the lies. I don't know what to think or believe, but I know God is in control and has a plan. So I've just stopped reading and responding to all the negative comments on social media aimed at instilling fear/and or rebellion. It's just too overwhelming, and I know nothing I say will change anyone's perspective. All I can do is pray.
ReplyDeleteThanks for all the encouraging comments you've been leaving on my blog. Glad to see you've posted something again. Happy Mthers Day to you as well, my sweet sister in Christ.
Thank you sister Sandra for dropping by. God bless you and keep you safe.
ReplyDelete