Prayer
– Lord, there have been days when I really feel like I’m walking through the
valley of the shadow of death…but I know You are with me. Thanks for always
being with me. Your promise means so much to me. I truly am never alone. No
fear—You are with me and protect me. Your shepherding comfort is beyond any
expectations.
The
LORD is my shepherd;
I
have all that I need.
He
lets me rest in green meadows;
he
leads me beside peaceful streams.
He
renews my strength.
He
guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name.
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.
You
prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies.
You
honor me by anointing my head with oil.
My
cup overflows with blessings.
Surely
your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life,
and
I will live in the house of the LORD forever. Psalm 23:1-6 (Verse 4 underlined
for today’s focus.)
Meditate. Feel Jesus’ presence with you.
Is there darkness all around you?
Let the light of Jesus shine in your life.
He promised to always be with us!
Are you
walking through a dark valley?
My sister and her family were killed
in a domestic violence situation thirty-five years ago—and at that time I definitely
walked…and crawled…through the valley of the shadow of death. Recently on the
anniversary of their death, I again traveled along that dark valley. Prayer of
friends and family—together lifting each other up—was my saving grace. Jesus paid
it all—He suffered the loss along with us and for us. I cling to His promise,
day by day, for all sorts of reasons but thirty-five years ago it was very real
to me. I was not alone as I dealt with my sister’s estate. I was not alone as I
cleared out all the treasures she had accumulated in the years they had lived
in that house. I was not alone. Jesus was with me. He continues to be with me—He
has promised.
Jesus came and told his disciples,
"I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and
make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and
the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands
I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end
of the age." Matthew
28:18-20 (Emphasis mine.)
Even when
you go through the darkest of valleys—Jesus is with you. Choose to let Him walk
alongside of you…to comfort and strength you. You can depend on Him. He keeps
His promises.
Verse
of Salvation ~ All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is
our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our
troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able
to give them the same comfort God has given us. For the more we suffer for
Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ. Even when
we are weighed down with troubles, it is for your comfort and salvation! For
when we ourselves are comforted, we will certainly comfort you. Then you can
patiently endure the same things we suffer. We are confident that as you share
in our sufferings, you will also share in the comfort God gives us. 2 Corinthians 1:3-7
© 2024 Text, photos, and illustrations by Mickey M. Hunacek. All
rights reserved.
All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless
otherwise noted.
New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale
House Foundation.
Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream,
Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Biblical search from Blue Letter Bible - http://v3.blueletterbible.org/search.cfm.
Books by Mickey M.
Hunacek
Available as e-books or paperbacks at Amazon.com
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