Psalms 23: 1-6
“The LORD is my shepherd [to feed, guide, and shield me], I shall not lack. He makes me lie down in [fresh tender] green pastures; He leads me beside the still and restful waters. He refreshes and restores my life (myself); He leads me in the paths of righteousness [uprightness and right standing with Him-not for my earning it, but] for His name’s sake. Yes, though I walk through the [deep, sunless] shadow of death, I will fear or dread no evil, for You are with me; Your rod [to protect] and Your staff [to guide] they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my [brimming] cup runs over. Surely or only goodness, mercy and unfailing love shall follow me all the days of my life, and through the length of my days the house of the Lord [and His presence] shall be my dwelling place.”
One of my all time favorites.
But sometimes it’s hard to believe it. It’s one of the scriptures that’s fun to read and memorize, but sometimes it’s hard to remember and apply to our own lives.
When life gets messy because of a tragedy, because of getting hurt, or because of a bad situation you may have created-it takes everything a person has to hold on to this verse. Especially if things have gone wrong because of something we did.
We forget that God is not only a God of judgement, but a God of mercy and unfailing love. If we repent as quick as we mess up, He will be faithful to walk us through the storm that may happen afterwards. The enemies are usually accusing devils sent to torment you…but guess what? You’re forgiven. God sees His son when He sees you now, and He will walk with you and make all of your crooked paths straight!
And sometimes, you are going through something and it’s not because you messed up. It’s because the favor of God is so on your life like it was with Job that you are being tested.
ALL of God’s chosen have gone through some sort of suffering. Whether it be emotionally, physically…they ALL have been through something rough. If life is always peaches and cream, we wouldn’t need the comforter, AKA…the Holy Spirit!
Abraham’s faith was always being tested.
Jacob wrestled with God.
David always seemed to be in some sort of crazy emotional state, and messing up in one area or another…but He was the apple of God’s eye.
Shadrack, Meshack and Abendego (I know I butchered the spelling) was thrown into a fiery furnace and did not burn because of their loyalty and love for God.
Daniel was thrown into the Lion’s den for being faithful to God and was not made into lion chow.
Joseph was betrayed by his brothers and sold into slavery, and one day became Pharaoh’s right hand man.
Paul was beaten up and thrown into jail so many times that he referred to himself as a jail cell preacher and took joy in his suffering.
All of the disciples besides John were martyred for their faith.
Jesus, the savior and king of the world, was ridiculed, thrown into jail, spit upon, whipped brutally and had nails placed in his hands and feet so the world would have a chance at salvation.
So if you truly think that if you walk a true walk of faith…and you will go through no type of suffering…you are very very disillusioned.
Did you know that if you are suffering because of your faithfulness to Jesus…that’s a VERY good thing?
Acts 5:41
“So they went on their way from the presence of the Council, rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer shame for His name.”
Romans 8:17
“..and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.”
Philippians 3:10
“..that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death;”
And so on and so forth.
Walking with Jesus, truly walking with Him, requires a life of sacrifice. Sharing the truth in love even when it’s scary. Not contorting the truth so you won’t get yelled at. Being courageous when the world is telling you to give up.
I used to really struggle with sharing the truth, especially about my own failures. I always tried so hard to keep my perfect image. However, like Paul, I count all of my accomplishments as crap in comparison to truly knowing the real Jesus 🙂
Being a Christian was never meant to be easy. I’m sorry if you thought that it was rainbows and butterflies, but it’s not. However, Jesus is our joy in times of distress…in times of peace…He is our anchor! He is our hope! He’s promised us a better way! He gave His life so we could live and enter Heaven! There might be times of anguish here on earth…but the time on this planet is so short when you compare it to eternity!!!
So trust in your shepherd! He TRULY cares for you soul! He LOVES you! Even in the darkness, He is your light. Even when the devil himself is trying to go toe to toe with you, Jesus is right there with you filling you up with His spirit! Just TRUST in HIM and have FAITH!!! 🙂 🙂 🙂
I don’t know if all of this made sense, but I felt led that I was supposed to write about this tonight haha. 🙂
Also-I have surpassed my first fundraising goal! WOOT WOOT! GO JESUS GO! Thank you to everyone who has donated so far and who has prayed!!!
Please keep my squad in prayer! Some are going under heavy attacks right now.
Prayer is the most powerful weapon ever…I mean…it’s a conversation with the God of the universe!
LOVE YOU GUYS!
TRUST IN THE SHEPHERD OF YOUR SOUL! 🙂
Sincerely,
Meraia
