Taking the "No Thank You" Bite!

“Taste and see that the Lord is good;" Psalm 34:8a NIV

Have you ever noticed that children do not like to try new foods? Is it the fear of the unknown? What if it tastes yucky? What if it’s bitter, hard to chew and swallow? Sometimes they reject a new food simply because they don’t like the way it looks.

One evening as my daughter was preparing dinner she was making coleslaw. My four year old grandson, Joshua, says, “What’s that?” My daughter explains that it is delicious coleslaw. Joshua doesn’t hesitate for even a moment as he replies, “None of that will be coming to my plate!”

Both my son-in-law, Todd, and daughter, Amy, have done an amazing job teaching both of our grandchildren to say “no thank you.” In fact when it comes to food the children are required to taste an unfamiliar food before they say no. They call it the “no thank you bite.” Often the children will taste the bite and much to their surprise find that they actually like what they have just tasted. Other times they taste the new food and simply shake their head and say, “no thank you.” At that point they are not required to eat more unless they choose to do so. I have also observed that in this ritual the grandchildren have sometimes taken the “no thank you bite” and liked it yet they still choose not to take more because they wanted to eat the more familiar things on their plate. In my granddaughter Abigail’s case she wants to make sure that she reserves room for the “sweet treat” at the end of the meal because this is her entire reason for eating food in the first place!

It is occurring to me today that these conversations are very much like the conversations that I have with God. If I don’t speak the words, I think them in my heart. Many times I have worried about what might happen in the future and I say, "No thank you God, none of that will be coming to my plate!” Sometimes tragedy strikes and I scream through my tears, “No thank you God! I don’t want this!” The bite of life that I have just been handed is indeed bitter, tough and hard to chew. It is more than I feel I can swallow. For sure I don’t like the looks of it and without a doubt I would much rather have a sweet treat! In my distaste for the situation at hand I ask God, “What was wrong with serving me the familiar things that I love? Things were going so good and now this! No thank you God, I do not need this nor do I want this in my life.”

Could it be that all of God’s bites are not distasteful? I am sure that God provides many opportunities for me every day to “taste and see that he is good.” Unfortunately, we are a generation that runs to and from activities, we perform our obligations, we race to work, and then come home to our responsibilities. Sometimes we are only eating “fast food” bites of God’s love, grace and blessings. These bites are certainly nourishing and they satisfy our hunger for the moment.

If I continue on this fast track and never find time to taste all that God has for me, what I am really doing is rejecting God and refusing to take a “no thank you bite.” Consequently, if I continue to refuse to taste what God has for me I will never experience the delicious taste of his wisdom, peace and joy. I have found that tasting of God requires me to sit down to a meal of his Word and savor each and every morsel that he has placed on my plate.

Could it be that God actually has something really delicious for my taste buds to enjoy? Could it be that I am saying just like my grandchildren, “no thank you?” Unlike parents, God doesn’t require me to “taste and see that he is good.” No, I can choose daily to say no to his “no thank you bites,” even though some of them have the potential of being as sweet as chocolate cake or banana cream pie! I believe that most of life is both sweet and savory. I know that my salty tears can be offset with God’s sweet treats if I allow him to provide the spiritual food that I so desperately need.

I know that down deep in the pit of my stomach, God wants me to stop rejecting his “no thank you bites.” The sweet treat bites are offered to me because he loves me. The bitter bites are also allowed because he loves me! I must remember that it is through my brokenness that God develops my character and that is indeed a good thing! All that God lovingly asks of me is for me to finish the meal, regardless of what is on my plate and when I do the “sweet treats” are sure to follow.

Bitter bites in life come our way. The bite remains even if we reject what has been served us on our plate. We can choose to push away God’s help. We can choose anger over acceptance. The fact is that bite will remain until God takes it away. No, I don’t want those bites either, but God seems to lace all that is bad in our life with the sweetness of his sustaining love.

I am learning to anticipate with wild anticipation the delicious tray of pastries that God will soon pass in front of me. When that day comes God will allow me to eat all that I can hold and then stuff in a little more. Until then I must not push God away and say that, “none of this will be coming to my plate.” The greatest joy of all for me will be my final meal invitation. It will be a meal that I will eat with Jesus in heaven at the “Wedding Super of the Lamb.” “Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!” Revelation 19:9 NIV We will all be invited to this meal if we belong to him! Our reward waits for us in heaven. In heaven we will be rewarded because we have trusted God and invited his precious Holy Spirit to help us overcome all of life’s “no thank you bites”.

Questions:

Have you experienced a time when you have said, “None of that will be coming to my plate?”

Are you currently eating a distasteful bite?

Are you pushing the “no thank you bite” away?”

Do you think if you willingly taste the bite God will help you eat this bitter bite and while doing so also provide you with some bites of his sweetness as well?

What are some of life's bites that you have tasted that were sweet and left you wanting more?


Prayer:

Dear God,

Help me not to fear the future. I know for sure that I will experience difficult trials of life that I do not welcome. I am so thankful that you do not expect me to welcome those times. Your Son did not welcome his death on the cross but he did accept that it was necessary. His desire was to do your will at all costs and because of that obedience you have seated him at your right hand and given him glory and honor. Yes, the agonizing tears of Gethsemane mixed with the sweetness of heavenly reward. Help me Lord that as I come to each difficulty in my life that I will be able to accept tasting all of your “bites”, the bitter and the sweet. Write on my heart the verse, “Taste and see that the Lord is good.” Lord you are good not just part of the time but you are good in all times.

In Your Son’s Name I Pray. Amen.

My Stubborn Will

“You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast,

because he trusts in you.”

Isaiah 26:3 NIV

When God wants to make an adjustment in my character it is sometimes a painful process because I present such resistance. I tend to be a slow learner and a strong willed child of God, the result of my resistance to correction lengthens the process. Just so you know what that looks like, (and it’s not a pretty picture) here’s the scenario.

Maybe the adjustment I need is regarding my ability to forgive. First, I am ticked off that I have to deal with the situation in the first place. My first emotional breakdown is anger. Now I have to deal not only with forgiving but I must add anger to the list! When I calm myself down I begin to bargain with God. Let me just tell you, God does not bargain, so don’t bother! I suggest to God, (how could I be so presumptuous) that “I will do this God if you will do that.” I now must add control to my list of misdemeanors. When that attempt ends on a dead end street, I then throw a pity party. If you are keeping track of my negative emotions, here is another one for the list, self centeredness. When I recover from the pity party, I pick myself up and dust myself off and tell myself that God is not concerned about me or my problem. I have now fallen for one of Satan’s destructive lies! He has successfully planted the seed of doubt in my mind. I determine that I don’t need God’s help. I’ll be just fine without him. I am now knee deep in arrogance! You see sin breeds more sin!

After that temper tantrum and disrespect I wonder how it is that God could still love me. Fact is – he does! God overlooks that I have behaved like a spoiled child. God’s Holy Spirit now draws me back to himself. If I still resist, I may have to suffer additional brokenness until I can turn my heart back home. God will never force me to return to him, it is still my choice. In my desperation I come to my senses and run back to God. I fall before him like an old worn out and limp rag doll. I ask God for his forgiveness and he forgives. I surrender to him by relinquishing my control. Jesus then lifts me up and massages my heart so that his grace and mercy can be applied to my soul.

What I basically needed was an attitude adjustment. After a quiet, secluded walk in the woods I begin to realize that God may not change my situation, but God is most certainly able to help me want to change the way I think about my situation. This attitude adjustment is beneficial in developing my character. Daily choosing Jesus’ ways can be a struggle. Yet, God always uses this change in my behavior to influence others for Jesus. This is one way that the Father is glorified through my life even though I may be unaware he is working.

At this point it may appear to be over, but that is only partially true, because Satan hates it when I get back on track. His attacks will come in very subtle ways. That is why it is important for me to stay on guard and stay focused on God. It is important that I embrace God’s power and protection during this time of vulnerability.

Relinquishing my stubborn will is one of the hardest things I have ever tried to do. In my own strength I believe it is impossible. But God wants us to succeed in all of our efforts to become a better Christian, so he comes along side of us with this promise. “You, dear children, are from God and have overcome…, because the one (the Holy Spirit) who is in you is greater than the one (Satan) who is in the world I John 4:4 NIV. I cannot do it alone but it is the Holy Spirit that enables all of us in our time of need.

Questions:

Have you ever experienced this type of struggle between you and God?

Did or does your situation require your relinquishment of your control?

Did you find your way back home and experience God’s forgiveness?

How did God use that character adjustment for your good?


Prayer:

Dear God,

Today I praise you and worship you because you are a God who loves me even when I behave in a sinful manner. Please forgive me when I tenaciously cling to my own will. God, surrender and relinquishment are so hard, yet I am reminded that you willingly laid down your life for me so that I might have forgiveness from my sin and the hope of eternal life with you. Thank you God for all of the character adjustments that you are attempting to make in my life. Help me not to resist those changes but rather embrace them as a sign of your love for me.

In Your Son’s Name I pray. Amen.

Failing to Ask

“You do not have, because you do not ask God.”
James 4:2b NIV

It was an amazing morning in the garden. It was a time that I will remember and treasure in my heart all of my days. It was a morning for a miracle! Setting in the garden surrounded by bright orange and yellow marigolds, graceful lantana and bright red vinca, I open my Bible to Mark and began to read.

“Then he (Jesus) left them, (the people) got back into the boat and crossed to the other side. The disciples had forgotten to bring bread, except for one loaf they had with them in the boat. Jesus asked them: Why are you talking about having no bread? Do you still not see or understand? Are your hearts hardened? Do you have eyes but fail to see, and ears but fail to hear? And don’t you remember? When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up?’ “Twelve,” they replied. And when I broke the seven loaves for the four thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up?” They answered, “Seven.” He said to them, “Do you still not understand?” Mark 8:13-14, 17-21 NIV

The story regarding the need for bread abruptly stops without further mention of the incident. There is nothing written that would indicate that Jesus provided bread for the disciples. Then in verse 22 we read that the next stop was Bethsaida. ”They came to Bethsaida, and some people brought a blind man and begged Jesus to touch him.” and without hesitation Jesus restored sight to the bind man.

This story touched me in an amazing way. I need to back up and say that for months I had been struggling with my hip. It was becoming more and more difficult for me to walk without pain. I was now taking my steps to our second level one at a time. Walking any distance at all proved to be very difficult. I hadn’t been to the doctor because I thought it was a muscle strain and that it would eventually go away. The fact was it was not going away and I was getting to the point of seeking medical help.

After reading this account regarding the bread and the clueless disciples, God began to bring personal application of that scripture to my heart. I was reflecting on the fact that even though the disciples had witnessed Jesus providing bread for 9,000 people, they merely saw him as the God who met the needs of others but did not even consider the fact that he was able to meet their personal need of supplying bread for them that day. They had not because they simply neglected to ask!

I then began to pray. “Oh Jesus, what am I lacking because I simply do not ask? Jesus, what is it that you desire to give me but can’t because I have not asked?” Then the still small voice came, “what about your hip?” So I laid my hand on my hip and asked Jesus to heal my hip. If this was what Jesus wanted to do for me I knew that he was more than able. As I prayed, I felt a warmness come over my hip. The healing was not instantaneous. The healing had begun but this would prove to be a day for my continual faith.

As I moved about that day it seemed to me that the pain lessened but traces of pain still remained. Satan would say, “Jesus did not heal you.” My replay was, “Thank you Jesus that you are healing my hip.” This same conversation went back and forth all day long. The pain became less and less. By evening it was completely gone. Jesus had healed my hip. Now, over a year later that hip still continues to be free of pain.

My take away from this experience was the knowledge that I did not seek being healed. However, what I was seeking was to know what it was that Jesus wanted to do for me. It my case it happened to be healing. From that moment on I made a decision that I would regularly ask, “Jesus, what is it that you want to do for me?”

I think that it is interesting that the disciples arrived in Bethsaida without receiving bread. They definitely had no bread only because they neglected to ask for bread. The next recorded scripture was the healing of a blind man. The blind man did not ask for healing but it is recorded that others brought him to Jesus and begged Jesus to touch him. They did the asking.

I still believe that we are to ask God for anything as long as we leave the end result up to him. Asking according to his will is how he wants us to pray. But in addition, I wonder if it pleases Jesus for us to ask on the behalf of others? I think, yes. I wonder if it pleases Jesus for us to ask him to give us the special gift he so lovingly desires to give us. I think, yes. I don’t want to be guilty of trusting God for others and forgetting that he has gifts for me as well.

Jesus knows our needs even better than we do. It only takes us asking him to choose for us what it is that he desires to give to us. God’s surprises are fantastic! They are always his gift wrapped in his love. So today, I am reminded that Jesus said, “If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!” Matt. 7:11 NIV

Questions:

What are you currently asking God for?

Are you asking according to his perfect will?

What are you asking God to do for another person?

Have you ever asked God to surprise you with his choice of gift for you?

Are you prepared to thank him in faith for his gift even before you receive it?

I do not know what God desires to give to you. It might be healing, it might be his gift of salvation, and it might be his peace, his joy, or his amazing love for you for this day. It could be his provision or it could be a tangible item that you may need. Let me offer a word of caution put your desires aside and instead seek the giver of the gift and his gift for you and you will not be disappointed.


Prayer:

Dear God,

What is it that you would have me ask you for today? Forgive me for neglecting to seek the gifts that bring you pleasure as you give them to me. God I want to set my desires aside and ask you for what it is that you know I need. I do not want to miss out on a single gift that you may have sitting on a shelf in heaven that is waiting just for me. I am curious about this gift that you have personally wrapped and set aside with my name specifically written on the package. So today God, I simply ask you, what it is you want me to ask you for? I will listen and wait for your response. Then I will ask specifically for that gift, and then as I wait in faith and anticipation for the arrival of that gift I will give thanks that your gift is on the way.

In Jesus Name I Pray. Amen.

A Promise With Two Parts

“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life:
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.”
Psalm 23: 6 AKJV

Today as I am sitting in the garden, I am feeling a little sad. The life that Jesus Christ lived on earth was such an amazing example of the way that God wants us all to live our lives. I feel sad because I fall so short! I get caught off guard and my attitude is crummy, my words are not kind, and fear is just a breath away. People make me upset and angry. I loose tolerance towards others who are not like me. Time after time the example is there before me, yet I get it right only occasionally. I know Jesus was perfect and I am not, but God did send an example to mankind so that we would recognize what holy living looks like. That example is Jesus. Jesus’ example is the bull’s-eye that we aim for.

I don’t believe that God demands perfection but I do believe that he wants to see some progress. God desires to see each of us moving continually in the direction of holiness. I am faced with daily choices. I must learn to choose godliness over sinfulness, goodness over evil, and mercy over criticism.

The Psalmist says that goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life. God’s goodness and mercy has followed me every day that I have been alive. God’s goodness and mercy follows believers and non believers every day. All people experience good things from the hand of God, but it is the grateful believer that will acknowledge that all the goodness and mercy they experience in this life is from the hand of God alone.

The first promise found in Psalm 23:6 is true! God’s goodness and mercy does follow us around like a puppy dog! I am beginning to realize that God’s goodness is always followed by his mercy and this always makes his forgiveness possible. So if I am to be like Jesus then I must also follow the example that Jesus modeled. Jesus always exhibited goodness and mercy, compassion and forgiveness.

I must admit that if I get upset with someone I often take a hike! I pack up my bag of goodness and mercy, leave the person that offended me and head for the nearest exit! As they glance back over their shoulder, I’m sure they are thinking, there she blows! How much better it would be if I could wrap myself in the grace of God’s goodness and mercy and turn around and go back to that person with the understanding that they are in need of Jesus’ goodness and mercy, just like me. Jesus said, “Blessed are the merciful for they will be shown mercy.” Matthew 5: 7 NIV My prayer today is that God would enlarge my capacity to be good and merciful.

The second promise in today’s scripture verse is “…and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” What will the house of the Lord be like? It will be a safe place and it will be a place of love and welcome. It will be a place where goodness abounds. It will be a place of eternal REWARD.

Our Shepherd, Jesus Christ, wants us to hang in there! He wants us to carry and wave his banner of goodness and mercy. Do I want to be in a place that when others see me coming toward them they view me as an enemy? No, I want them to feel safe and loved. I want others to say, here comes Paula, and she is carrying in her arms goodness and mercy. I want them to be happy to see me. If per chance I am actually able to do that, it is only by the grace of God and the example of Jesus that I am able to have a holy response.

This is a beautiful day for reflection. The garden is quiet. The sunshine feels warm. There is so much beauty it nearly takes my breath away. I am beginning to remember all of the lessons to be learned from the 23rd Psalm. What a marvelous Psalm! It is a perfect pattern for living my life. It is God’s ideal plan for my spiritual growth and development. It is also a Psalm of amazing comfort. Only six little verses but what an impact they have made on my life. Jesus Christ, my personal Shepherd, wants a RELATIONSHIP with me. When I put my trust in my Shepherd and enter into a personal relationship with him he begins the process of REDIRECTION. When I am sitting still before the Shepherd and I am free of distractions he begins to direct my life and lead me down a fresh new path of right living. As I listen to my Shepherd, he begins the process of RESTORATION. He begins to shape my life and restore it back to the way he intended it to be before sin entered our world. There is much in my life that is in need of change but the Shepherd REMAINS with me through all of the dark valleys providing me with the soothing oil of the Holy Spirit which gives me comfort and peace. My Shepherd will be close beside me for as long as it takes me to be able to trust him. He wants me to RELINQUISH to him all that keeps me concerned and worried. He wants all my fears and all my anger. He wants my pain and my suffering. In the moments that we spend together in deep communication, my Shepherd REFRESHES my spirit. I eat from his bountiful table of blessings and drink from his refreshing living water. I accept his lavish love for me. My Shepherd follows me day in and day out with his goodness and mercy. The Shepherd has promised me that at the end of my journey here on earth he will give me my REWARD. The reward is heaven, the place where I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever and ever.


Questions:

What are the seven “R” words that indicate the pattern God has for your spiritual growth and development?

Which "R" word is the Shepherd trying to get you to pay attention to right now?

What are the two parts of the promise that is found in Psalm 23:6?

Which of the six verses of Psalm 23 is the most meaningful to you? Why?


Prayer:

Dear Shepherd,

I am so thankful that you care for me in such a loving way. According to the words of this Psalm I will want for nothing. Not now, not ever! What a plan! A Relationship with my maker, Redirection for my sinful life, Restoration of my spirit during hard times, and God you Remain with me as you wait for me to Relinquish my needs and all of my difficult circumstances. God you Refresh me and you Reward me! You have cared for me from the beginning of my life and will be with me forever. Only a God like you could have orchestrated such a perfect plan.

In Your Name I Pray. Amen.

Lapping Up the Blessings

“You prepare a table

before me in the presence

of my enemies:

you anoint my head

with oil;

my cup runs over.”

Psalm 23:5 AKJV

This morning I am thinking about all of the blessings that I enjoy even when it seems I am passing through “the valley of the shadow of death.” In spite of the many hardships that life so generously throws my way, God’s table of constant blessing is spread wide before me for my enjoyment. His provisions for my life are always there. I shall not want, I have all I need.

This morning I think that I will again leave the garden and cross over to the “table land”. The flat “table land” is the place that I want to be because my Shepherd is there. I will sit at his feet. He will pour onto my head a fresh anointing of the oil of the Holy Spirit. I have come to recognize that this oil is not only soothing it is essential for my survival in life. Every morning I find that I am in need of a fresh anointing of that oil. It occurs to me that I wouldn’t dare leave my home early in the morning without a fresh cup of coffee. It is something that I have come to enjoy and something that I need to get my juices flowing! Likewise, it is also ridiculous to think that I would ever consider beginning my day or leaving my home without a fresh anointing from the Holy Spirit. This anointing is what I need in order to guard my heart and protect my emotions as I begin my day in “the valley of the shadow of death.” Receiving this anointing is not only something that I need; it is also something that I enjoy. It sooths the spirit and is good for the soul!

Still seated at the feet of my shepherd I am filled with the sense of peace. I do not know what I will encounter this day but I do know the One who holds this day and everyday in his sovereign hands. I now move in a little closer to my Shepherd. I lean back and rest my head on his loving arms. I look up at the clouds and begin to count my blessings.

My most important blessing is the gift of eternal life. My second blessing is my relationship with my creator. My third blessing is my assurance that God will never leave me or forsake me. My fourth blessing is for the wonderful gifts of love, joy, and peace. I then marvel at all God has created to bring inspiration and delight into my life. If this was all there was in life, I would be truly blessed.

But for me there is more. God has blessed me with a wonderful loving family; I have shelter, food, and clothing. I also enjoy heat for the cold weather and air conditioning for the hot months of the year. There is electricity, running water, a bed with clean sheets, a car to drive, friends, a wonderful church, and the gift of creativity that I so enjoy. I really must stop here because the list just goes on and on. I’m sure you get the picture. I pray I will never take these blessings without due consideration of the fact that I am richly blessed and that all my blessings come directly from the hand of God.

Yes indeed, like a sweet soda that overflows the glass and spills onto the table and runs into the floor, such is my cup of blessings. My cup runs over and over and over! I am reminded that blessings do not stop during hard times. God does not pull the plug when we are down and out or things get tough. In the presence of my enemies God’s blessings still overflow. My plate is always full of good things.

I am overjoyed to know that my Shepherd desires to REFRESH me and one of the ways that he does this is through an abundance of blessings. It is impossible for me to think of a blessing without smiling. The joy I feel when I reflect on any blessing is an emotion of my soul. That joy is the perfect antidote for refreshing my weary spirit, my downcast head, my troubled heart, and my confused mind. Is life hard? Yes. Can we be refreshed in the midst of brokenness, pain, sadness, confusion, and concern for ourselves and those we love? Yes. How do we do this? We run to the “table” and we bow our head to receive the oil. We eat from our plate of blessings and we drink from our overflowing cup of God’s endless love for each and every one of us.

Questions:

In your mind are you feeling forgotten by God?

What are you struggling with?

Are you in a “wait” holding pattern as you long for change in your circumstance?

Do you need refreshment as you continue to wait?

When was the last time that you visited God’s table of blessing?

What do you think about asking God for a fresh anointing of his Holy Spirit every single day?

Prayer:

Dear Shepherd,

Forgive me when I forget to acknowledge my blessings. The fact is, I have so many blessings that I can’t even write them all down. God, today I come to your table of blessings. Thank you that my plate is full and my cup overflows. I thank you also for the blessings that minister to my spirit. Your love and peace are indeed priceless! Even in the presence of my enemies your blessings are endless. Jesus, please guard my heart from depression and discouragement. This day I accept your antidote of joy and the anointing of your Holy oil so that I can go out and face life in “the shadow of death” with joy and peace deep in my heart. Help me to remember that even in the darkest of days you still able to minister to my spirit. For this blessing I give thanks.

In Your Name I Pray. Amen

Passing Through

“Yes, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil: for you are with me;

your rod and your staff they comfort me.”

Psalm 23:4 AKJ

Today the garden is especially beautiful. The hot pink Crape Myrtles are breathtaking. The orange Tiger Lilies are stunning, and the yellow Black-eyed Susan’s sway in the breeze. I can’t imagine this world without color. If I could, I would surround myself everyday with beautiful flowers, majestic mountains, and gorgeous sunsets. Indeed, God has made everything beautiful!

I believe that the beauty that is found in creation is there for our inspiration and also to surround us with such magnificence that deep within our soul we are eye witnesses to the very existence of God. The Psalmist David also enjoyed the beauty of creation, yet now he dares to make mention of the “shadow of death.” What is “the valley of the shadow of death?”

It is my understanding that a good shepherd leads his sheep through the mountains in order to get to the flat “table land” on the other side of the mountain. This can be a dangerous journey. Sheep can fall off the rocks that carve out a valley between the mountains. This is also a place where wild animals may attack the sheep. This valley is a dark cold place that is void of sunshine. It is called “the shadow of death” not because you die there but because the possibility of death is near. Even though the sheep can be unruly, the shepherd has gone this way many times before and is confident as he leads his sheep. He knows that once he is through this hard journey the flat “table land” of refreshment awaits all of his sheep.

When my husband and I were on the island of Hawaii, we stood on a high cliff and down below us was the beautiful lush green flat “table land” and in the distance stood a huge mountain. At first glance I didn’t see much, but as I looked closer I could actually see the crevice of the valley that was dividing the mountain. I exclaimed with great joy! That’s it, there it is, the “valley of the shadow of death!” I was so excited to get an actual visual of what the Psalmist was talking about. In that moment, Psalm 23 came alive to me in a new and precious way. I shall never forget that moment.

As I think about the “valley of the shadow of death” it occurs to me that death is not the problem but it is “the shadow of death” that is the culprit. This life is the “valley of the shadow of death” and we are passing through this life on our way to heaven. Because we live in a world that is rooted in sin we are susceptible to all kinds of dangers and attacks. Evil rears its head in the form of darkness, depression and despair. We experience the pain of disappointments, and the coldness of loneliness. It is the wild attacks from Satan and all of the unexpected agonizing occurrences of life that send you and me plunging into the depths of loss and despair. No, it is not death that we as Christians fear, it is “the shadow of death” that grips our heart and sets our knees to knocking. Yet, our Shepherd says, “do not fear for I am with you.”

Look closely ...sheep in the shadow of the valley of death.

I am so thankful that the psalmist writes; that we “pass through” we don’t remain in difficulty forever. There is sunshine up ahead. The “table land” that will be used for our grazing is just on the other side of our difficulty. It is the Shepherd that REMAINS with me every step of the way. I may not see him, hear him, or feel him but the fact is that my Shepherd remains with me as we travel this life together. The many hardships of life are not found in death; but rather they are found in “the shadow of death.” Death itself, if we belong to Jesus will be glorious!

The shepherd’s rod and staff are the tools of his trade and they are symbolic of the Holy Spirit. The rod corrects the sheep and the staff leads and rescues the sheep. Both tools provide comfort to the sheep. My spirit is comforted to know that my Shepherd also has provided me with comfort and direction through the work of the Holy Spirit in my life. My job is to RELINQUISH all of my pain and sorrow to my Shepherd.

Oh, the lessons that I learned in the garden today have been amazing! It is almost time to leave the garden. I find myself leaning one last time on the back fence where a Mandevilla vine is adorning the fence with a blanket of pink blooms. In the distance I see the mountain and if I look really close I see the valley carved out in the middle of the rock. I can almost see my Shepherd emerging and I am following close behind. The sight of the flat “table land” makes my heart leap for joy. Once again the “shadow in the valley of death” is behind us. My Shepherd and I have come through the dangers of life together and the “table land” of heaven is in clear sight!

Questions:

Do you relate to this life being “the shadow of death?”

What do you fear?

How do you feel about the knowledge that Jesus remains with you every step of the way through “the valley of the shadow of death” in this life?

Are you able to relinquish that fear to Jesus, the Good Shepherd?

Prayer:

Dear Father,

Thank you that you will go with me through every difficulty I will ever encounter. You have promised me that you would never leave me or forsake me. I find great comfort in that knowledge. Help me Lord to trust you with every circumstance in my life. I want this day to relinquish to you ________________. Lead me and guide me through this difficult time. I take joy in knowing that no matter how hard life may be it is only temporary. I look forward to the “table land” of heaven and I do not fear death itself. Father, in this life as I am passing through the valley, please take hold of my hand and never let it go! There is no one else that I can trust to get me safely home.

In Your Name I Pray. Amen