Walking Through the Valleys (Psalm 23:4)

Today's scripture: Psalm 23:4

The valley of the shadow of death … “valleys as dark as death” according to the Contemporary English Version. I don’t want to sound melodramatic, but I’ve been there. When I experienced abuse. When I lived through the pain of infertility. Living through chronic pain.

Valleys as dark as death.

I’ve lived through them. And when I wasn’t in relationship with the Lord, when I tried to make it though those valleys by myself, I was fearful … even depressed.

But now? After I recommitted my life to Jesus almost 25 years ago, I still experienced—I still experience—days in the valley. However, I’m not alone. Never.

When I’m suffering, when I just can’t make it another moment, I know God is with me. I know He’ll never leave me (Hebrews 13:5). Never.

Even more, He’ll protect me from the wiles of the enemy. Knowing His word and His promises, I can resist my adversary (1 Peter 5:8-9).

And even more, He’ll comfort me when I’m in those valleys. I know I can climb on my Abba’s lap, and He’ll wrap His arms around me and comfort me in my pain.

So I know I can walk through those valleys, knowing my Shepherd is beside me. And when I need it, He’ll carry me through.

If you're in a valley, remember this: Your Shepherd is beside you too. He's walking with you ... and carrying you when you can't even walk.

Rest in Hope (Acts 2:25-26)

Today’s scripture: Acts 2:25-26

Read through these verses again.

Read them slowly.

Do you see what they say? In these two short verses, there are three amazing promises, promises that help us to have hope—not only to have hope, but to rest in hope.

The first promise: The Lord is always before my face.

You know what that means? He’s always with us. We can see His face when we read His word.

The second promise: He is at my right hand.

When we walk through difficult times, He’s right there, holding our hands, walking alongside us.

The third promise: I may not be shaken.

We can have confidence that He’s right here with us, and because of that confidence, we can be strong and steady. The storms and struggles will not cause us to waver.

If you’re in the center of a storm right now, go to the one who promises that He’s with you, every moment. Remember that you can trust Him and rest in the hope of His presence.

Spend a few more minutes meditating on these promises. If you’re needing rest, ask God for it now.    

Inadequate ... Yet Adequate (2 Peter 1:5-7)

Today’s scripture: 2 Peter 1:5-7

Wow. I don’t know about you, but there are sometimes (many times) when I read the Bible, and I think, “There’s no way I can do this. I’m just too weak (or prideful or stubborn or weary).” I read today’s verses, and I think, “There’s no way I can do this. I’m just too inadequate.”

I mean really. Read those verses again. Peter exhorts us to moral excellence. To knowledge. To self-control … perseverance … godliness … brotherly kindness … love.

Oh my goodness. Seriously? Now, there are a couple of these attributes that I pray I manifest regularly. I pray I’m kind to my brothers and sisters. I genuinely love others. I strive to grow in knowledge of my Lord. But self-control? Moral excellence? Perseverance?

I really am inadequate. But guess what? I don’t have to do this on my own. The Holy Spirit is in me to help me. When I struggle with impatience, I can ask for patience. When I’m tempted to sin, I can ask for the strength to withstand that temptation. When I just want to give up, I can ask for stamina to accomplish what God has called me to do.

Yes, the Bible often convicts me, and I often feel I’m incapable. And I am. On my own, that is. Praise my Lord God, I’m not alone.

And neither are you.

Great Promises! (2 Timothy 4:17-19)

Today’s scripture: 2 Timothy 4:17-19

Three promises … Two for today. One for tomorrow.

“The Lord [stands] with me and strengthen[s] me” each and every day. To be honest, this is the promise that keeps me going. If it weren’t for the confidence I have that God is with me every day, right by my side, I don’t know how I’d make it.

If you’ve been a regular follower of these daily devotionals, you know I suffer from several chronic health issues. I feel constant pain and weariness, and my energy level is usually quite low. I desperately need the strength of my heavenly Father to get me through each day. And that’s not an exaggeration. Too many mornings I wake up, and it’s all I can do to get out of bed. And yet, each evening, I crawl back into bed, knowing I accomplished much through God-given strength.

“The Lord rescue[s] me from every evil deed.” We’ve talked a lot about battles, and I find great comfort in knowing the Lord “has my back.” No matter what the enemy throws at me, God will rescue me. He’ll protect me as I continue this earthly journey.

And the promise for tomorrow?

One day, He “will bring me safely to His heavenly kingdom.” One day, all my weariness and pain will end. One day, I will no longer have to battle against the enemy of my soul. One day, I’ll be in the very presence of my God—Father, Son, and Spirit.

How blessed I am to know that God never leaves me nor forsakes me here on earth (Deut. 31:6, 8; Josh. 1:5; Ps. 27:9; Heb. 13:5). And how even more blessed I am that one day I’ll shed this earthly skin and spend eternity with the Lord.

What great promises!

"The Lord Is at Hand" (Philippians 4:5)

Today’s scripture: Philippians 4:5

The Lord is at hand. I love these words. So often in His word, our Lord reminds us that He is here with us at all times. Joshua heard the words, “… for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go” (1:9). The psalmist wrote, “Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence?” (139:7). His conclusion? Nowhere.

And we can know He loves us with an “everlasting love” (Jeremiah 31:3) and His covenant is equally everlasting (Jeremiah 32:40).

Jesus Himself promised to be with us always … always (Matthew 28:20).

Some might see God’s constant presence as “Big Brother” watching our every move, ready to pounce on us should we displease Him. Not me. I’m comforted beyond measure that He is with me, every moment of every day.

He walks alongside me, rejoicing with me in the good times, weeping with me in the times of pain. He holds my hand, guiding me. He carries my daily burden (Psalm 68:19).

The Lord is at hand. Thank You, Abba!

Never Alone (Ephesians 1:13-14)

Today's scripture: Ephesians 1:13-14

Do you ever feel lonely?

I sometimes do. With my family spread throughout the U.S., with my California friends so far away, and my new Tennessee friends busy with their own lives … sometimes, I feel quite alone.

But then I remember, I’m never alone. Never. I’m God’s beloved daughter, “sealed … with the Holy Spirit of promise …”

My trusty commentary says: "… the Holy Spirit, which is promised to them who believe on Christ Jesus, was given to you, and thus you were ascertained to be the children of God, for God has no child who is not a partaker of the Holy Ghost, and he who has this Spirit has God's seal that he belongs to the heavenly family" (The Adam Clarke Commentary). I am part of God’s family, and the Holy Spirit is within me.

Thank You, Lord God, for the reminder that I’m never alone. Thank You, Holy Spirit, for living in me. 

God of My Strength (Psalm 43:1-2)

Today's scripture: Psalm 43:1-2

I wrote yesterday about God's being my strength and saving refuge. Today, we visit a new psalm that starts out in apparent opposition. Yes, He is the "God of my strength," but the psalmist today asks, "Why do You cast me off?"

If God is my strength, why would He ever "cast me off"? I don't believe He ever does. He promises to never leave us alone (Hebrews 13:5). He loves us everlastingly (Jeremiah 31:3).

But, I completely relate with the psalmist's words. Sometimes, I too feel oppressed by the enemy. Sometimes, it seems like the enemy of my soul's whispers are louder than the still, small voice of the Lord.

When I'm extra tired or the pain is extra strong, it's easy for me to get a bit depressed, and it's during those moments when I feel "cast off." I feel alone in my suffering.

Sometimes, I just feel alone ...

In those moments, I have to listen more closely to the voice of God. I have to cling more tightly to Him. I have to remember even more purposefully His blessings and how He's carried me in the past.

I have to trust His promises ... because He truly is the "God of my strength."

Your Strength and Shield (Psalm 28:6-7)

Today's scripture: Psalm 28:6-7

How often do you feel under attack? By so-called friends? By your boss? By those unseen forces (Ephesians 6:10)?

How often do you feel weak? By illness? By stress?

You are not alone. Never. The God of the universe will cover you with His strength. He will help you through each and every moment of difficulty. He will walk alongside you ... and carry you when you can't take another step.

You can trust Him fully and completely. You can rejoice in His daily care. You can praise and worship Him.

He loves you more than you can possibly imagine. He will shower you with peace and joy, if only you seek Him.

Bless His holy name.  

Uphold My Steps (Psalm 17:4-5)

Today's scripture: Psalm 17:4-5

We all have them ... those mornings when we just want to burrow under the covers and hibernate for the day. You know exactly what I'm talking about, don't you?

When I face those morning—knowing full well I can't just stay in bed—I often plead, "Lord Jesus, would You please hold my hand more tightly this morning?" Then I read words like verse 5 of today's scripture: "Uphold my steps in Your paths, that my footsteps may not slip."

Our Savior, our Shepherd, walks alongside us every day. Every moment. He never leaves us (Hebrews 13:5). We're never alone. Not only will the Lord "uphold [our] steps," but He will also carry us when we can't even take a step: "Care for [us]; carry [us] like a good shepherd" (MSG, Psalm 28:9).

I don't know about you, but these words bring me hope. If it weren't for the promise of the Lord's constant presence, I wouldn't want to get up each morning. If it weren't for the promise of His carrying me, I wouldn't be able to get up each morning.

You're not alone. When you can't seem to pull yourself out of bed, when you can't take a step, call out to your Lord and Savior. Cry out to Him and ask Him to hold your hand more tightly ... today and every day.

God Is Everywhere (Psalm 17:3)

Today's scripture: Psalm 17:3

One of our Lord's attributes is that He is omnipresent. He is everywhere at all times. This is a mystery beyond our comprehension, but I believe it to be true.

I have several favorite psalms, and one of my favorites, the 39th, reminds me of God's constant presence. The psalmist writes:

Is there anyplace I can go to avoid your Spirit?
    to be out of your sight?
If I climb to the sky, you’re there!
    If I go underground, you’re there!
If I flew on morning’s wings
    to the far western horizon,
You’d find me in a minute—
    you’re already there waiting!
(MSG, vv. 7-10)

He is everywhere.

Now, this might make some of us cringe. He sees us all the time, so even when no other human is with us, we're not alone.

Think about it. What do you do when you're alone? Are you one person in public and another when no one else is around? When you're with your friends, do you act differently than when you're in church?

God sees. He sees everything. Every thought, every word, every action.

If you're convicted by this reminder, then perhaps you need to get down on your knees and ask the Lord to help you be whom He wants you to be.

Everywhere. All the time.

Our Stronghold (Psalm 9:9-10)

Today's scripture: Psalm 9:9-10

Oh, how I love the opening words of these verses. The Lord also will be a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.

I’m not oppressed by a human enemy or tyrant, but living with chronic health issues can definitely be oppressive. Anyone who deals with the same problem knows exactly what I mean. So often, chronic ill health takes over one’s life. From the moment I wake up to the moment I fall asleep, my body reminds me of its aches and pains. I can’t ever forget.

But I’m not alone in my pain. God is with me. And it’s that confidence that allows me to make it through each day. And not just make it, but thrive.

I put my trust in my Lord because He’s been overwhelmingly faithful. He’s never left my side. He’s never forsaken me. Even when I turned my back on Him, He never left me. He’s too loving and gracious to even think of leaving His children.

I hope you’re as comforted by these words as I am. Never forget your stronghold.