Walking Through~

Thursday greetings,

Psalm 23:4 “Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for You are close beside me…”

Is it possible to have an encouraging DEVO when the word “darkest” is part of it? Yes, dear brothers and sisters, yes!

Every one who has lived long enough has experienced a low place, a valley - a time when sadness, sorrow, confusion, frustration, hopelessness, and/or fear were the prevalent feelings. 

God acknowledges our feelings; He knows we all face rough moments.  But life-changing truth number one for the day is that God reminds us there is an out and an exit from this valley. We are walking through it; we are not standing still in it.  We are following the Good Shepherd’s lead, and He is leading us straight to peace and joy.  How does He lead? Every single time we pray and read the Bible, every time God puts an angel in our path to say a kind word, every time we allow ourselves to be a blessing in someone else’s life, we continue to make a steady pace out of that valley and into a verdant and abundant meadow.

Life-changing truth number two of the day is that because He is with us, guiding us, loving us, leading us, and protecting us, we don’t have to be afraid of what’s happening in the valley.  If only…right?  One way to get a grip on those times we are overwhelmed with fear is to remind ourselves that because God is with us EVERY SECOND OF EVERY MOMENT OF EVERYDAY, hovering close by, we have nothing to be afraid of.  Is there any one or anything that comes even remotely close to being more powerful than God?

PRAYER: Dear Lord, Thank You that because You are in our lives, we have the assurance that You will always point us in the right direction.  Thank You that we don’t have to be stuck in the valley; You lead us out.  Help us to pick up our feet and go! And thank You that when You say there’s nothing to fear it’s because You are infinitely more powerful and awesome than anyone or anything.  In Jesus’ name, AMEN~