I Will Not Be Afraid
I Will Not Be Afraid
Reading: Psalm 23 (Click link for Psalm 23 in a different translation each day) 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. (Psalm 23:4 NLT) Life has its mountaintop experiences and how wonderful they are! Sometimes it’s a moment of clarity when it seems like everything comes together and from your lofty position you can see forever. Sometimes it’s a moment of victory over challenges, difficulties, or adversaries. When we’re on the mountaintop, it feels like it will always be this way and friends, wouldn’t it be nice if it could! But the path we walk as Christ followers isn’t level ground. The path also leads through dark valleys where the walls seem to be closing in and you can hardly see your hand in front of your face.
In the Dark Valley, I will not be afraid. Not because there’s no danger. Not because I have a guarantee nothing scary will come my way. In the Dark Valley I will not be afraid because my Good Shepherd is with me! Jesus is close beside me. When I can’t avoid the challenge or the drama, I will not be afraid because Jesus, my Good Shepherd will, with his rod and staff, protect me against harm. Lord, even when your path takes me through the valley of deepest darkness, fear will never conquer me, for you already have! You remain close to me and lead me through it all the way. Your authority is my strength and my peace. The comfort of your love takes away my fear. I’ll never be lonely, for you are near. Psalm 23:4 (The Passion Translation) Whether or not today is a Dark Valley day, please take time to read slowly through this scripture from John’s letter to the churches. This is for you! 16 We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. 17 And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world. 18 Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love. (1 John 4:16-18 NLT) Prayer: Father, Thanks for being with us on the mountaintop, in the green meadow, and in the Dark Valley. We will not be afraid, because you are with us!
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