Meditations from Psalm 23

Today I was a little confused as to what day it was, so instead of reading Psalm 24 for my devotional warm up, I opened to the well-known Psalm 23. At times, this passage is easy to skip over since I "know it already." But do I? Today I found myself challenged and comforted afresh by this Psalm. Here are some of the thoughts I wrote down as I was meditating on verse 4. First, to quote it:

"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil; for You are with me...."

It is a given that I will experience situations/circumstances that feel like and appear to be the very worst that could ever happen to me (or one I love). The Psalmist doesn't qualify the statement "though I walk" with but for some of you reading, this is not applicable. The "though" here carries an idea of certainty. (There are also other passages of Scripture that clearly state that the beliver will encounter trials)

This trial, this "valley of the shadow of death," though it may appear to be the worst thing that could ever happen, it is only a shadow. Shadows are very real, but in no way so they have all of the strength and functions of the thing they represent. They are limited. My body may be engulfed in a shadow cast by a storefront, but the total effect on my being is much less severe than if the actual store lay on top of me. In the same way God has put limits on every single trial that we encounter.

Notice that there is a promise, "I walk through." This means that each trial has a definite end and as Christians, we have the assurance that we will see the other side. We will "walk through."

It is critical to recognize the manner in which we are to experience each and every of the “valley one of the shadow of death(s).” It is just two simple words: “without fear.” Contrary to what we might think, fear is a gift from God that prompts us to either do or not do something. There are both righteous as well as sinful categories of fear. The fear spoken of in this passage is clearly referring to the latter. You see, if you fear evil in the way David is speaking of, you are being controlled by it. You are letting it direct your attitudes, emotions, and actions. This sinful fear is like opening the door to the cockpit of our souls to a someone with no flying experience. Actually, it is more like opening it up to a terrorist. Sinful fear is destructive.

How do we begin to “fear no evil?” The answer comes in the next line, “for You are with me.” It is our saving relationship with Jesus Christ that gives us the promise and reality of His presence. The knowledge of His omnipresence (His sovereign presence in the world) and particular presence in the believers’ life quenches the flames of fear. Such confidence and faith in God’s character secures our souls cockpit door behind the only Pilot fit for the job.

These thoughts spoke to me heart this morning. Shamefacedly, I must admit that I am a fearful person. Oh, I may not look it, but I have lived in a sinful pattern of fear. This fear has grown out of the high few I have of myself and the low and frightfully inadequate view I have of God. But praise Him, He is growing me in this area of my life. Right now I don't feel fearful (in the sinful sense) . Nothing seems to be blatantly challenging my trust in God. However, I know that in the future I will walk through a very real valley, one that "threatens" to crush my whole being. Hopefully, by keeping the truth of this Psalm before me, I will walk through the valley with a spirit controlled, not by the natural fear of the evil circumstances, but with the faith that rests in the character of God.

If you don't read anything else read this: We should never view anything (especially trials and life circumstances) outside of the Sovereignty of God. We can have a real peace this morning, because we believe in a real saving God!

The 20 Blesings Game...part 2

Here is part 2 of the blessings game. Hopefully you are somewhat inspired sooo... why doesn't everybody put up the first 5 that come to mind.... looking forward to seeing how God is working in all ya'lls lives!

My 20 Blessing (installment 2)

11. Homeschooling. Some people think homeschooling will teach their kids how to be smart. Homeschooling didn't do that for me, it taught me how to live Biblically.

12. Having NO TV! I truly believe this was one of the best things my parents did for me!!Because it wasn't available I wasn't addicted or enslaved to it. Be being TV-less I wasn not only gifted with more time, my mind was protected from the growing wickedness TV allows into many homes and hearts.


13.College. This a big one for me because God's blessings have been multi-faceted:
a)Academically I have blossomed. I mean this in the best of senses (no pride here). What I mean is that each class was (and still is) a puzzle of how to problem solve. Each class was a lesson in truly learn, and understand, and apply. Of all places, my chemistry book gave the best definition of education I have heard of yet. (I need to go dig it up and post)
b)Perseverance. This is another characteristic that accompanies learning. It is a skill needed in all of life and one that is stated in the Bible noteworthy.

c) Organization. It's just that plain and simple: organization keeps the sanity

d) Spiritually. Yes college has challenged me to lean hard on my precious Savior. Certain thought patterns stemming from the fear of failure and the fear of man were exposed. It took the constant slew of assignments, deadlines, and difficult teachers to bring me to a place where I could not depend on my own strength, resources, and capacity.


14. My job watching "Pooky" 10 hours a week! ("Pooky" is a 16 month old little girl I sit every week) I adore my job!


15.Direction in school plans


16.Roadtrip Vacations. Nothing can replace the sanctification a stationwagon, 5 people, and an open road bring. So many memories were made too: the 9 hour wait in Barstow, the climb up Horn Peak, food poisoning in the car, books on tape....sigh.


17. A childhood full of chores, dress up, and the great outdoors! What bliss....The red skirt with the rip, the harness swing, the stroll around the street in the green trash can ...need I say more?!


18. The ability to read and imagine. As bizarre as it might sound I once thought I would never read. "Never in a hundred years," I cried until I was about nine. I am a wretched prophet. I learned both how to reed and spele.


19.Laughter. I am so thankful to have been raised in a family that values laughter. I absolutely love to laugh! Belly laughs are the best, especially when they are accompanied with tears.


20. Health. I am certainly not without my issues, but I have nothing whatsoever to complain about. I work, what more can I say?

The 20 Blessings Game... Part 1

Actually, I guess it should be called the “however old you are” blessings game. It is not a regular game. In fact, it might not be considered a game at all. I however, found it an wonderful exercise. I acquired the idea for this game from Nancy Leigh DeMoss after hearing how she made a list of 30 blessings on her 30th birthday*. The only rule of the game (simplistic folks like me prefer this sort of game. The fewer amount of rules the better) is that your list of blessings must be the same number as your age. At first I found myself thinking about the most recent blessings; blessings experienced within the last month or two. However, after deeper consideration I began to un-pile the numerous blessings that covered the span of my entire life. It was difficult to stop at 20! If played correctly, this game is a definite win. In the end, I found myself truly thankful and full of praise to the Lord. I found myself saying, I am rich indeed!!

*small disclaimer…. It might not have been her 30th birthday exactly. I am almost certain it was but don’t hold me to the exact number.

My 20 Blessings list (installment 1)

1 God has taken care of my greatest problem….my sin. Through the blood of His Son, God saved me from the path of destruction and put my of the path of life.

2. God’s patience. The older I get the more I see His unfailing patience. Praise God that He is not as quick to act, judged, and punish as I am.

3. Dad. What a blessing to have a father such as God set over me. Dad makes it easy to summit to him. My heart can gladly respect a man who daily comes before His Savior to be taught, seek counsel, and confess sin. My heart is blessed every morning when Dad and Mom pray together, when he takes me on donut dates, and at the remembrance that he never traveled so that he could be a better husband to his wife and a better father to his children.

4. Mom. What a mother I have! I wish all young women could have a mother like mine. I thank God for her sacrifices (seen and unseen), her continuous and fervent attitude of prayer, her eternal perspective, and her whole-hearted training and rearing of her daughters. Many young women are bankrupt when it comes down to the important areas of life because their mothers have not invested in them. Not so with my mom.

5. L.K. Her organization, responsibility, and kindness have modeled how to be mature (something I thinkj she was born with!). Her example has taught me soooo much!

6. Anne. In particular it is her staunch persistence that is such an example to me. Her fearlessness and companionship have been exemplary and they have equipped my with courage to so the same.

7. L and L’s relationship. The way both of then endeavoured to honor God above all and then each other (and their parents) has been a much needed example.

8. Land L's wedding in July!!! What a celebration it will be!

9. A tender heart towards God's workings

10. The body of belivers. What an incredible blessing the people of God are! I never cease to be amazed at how and where I find God's people.