Have you ever been in a difficult and seemingly “dead-end” situation where you can’t back up and retrace your steps to safer ground and you can’t get OUT of the situation? Where the only path is ahead through unknown and feared territory? This journey through Leukemia has been like that; when you wonder if the side effects of the chemo will ever stop appearing and tearing apart your body.
One of the most beloved of Psalms has encouraging news for those who can say, “The Lord is my shepherd.” Psalm 23: “Yeah!! Though I walk THROUGH the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil.” The promise isn’t just that God will be with us IN the valley. He will walk with us THROUGH the valley. There IS safer and more joyous land ahead and we will get there…either in this life or the next. This pain is not the end of the path. There is peace and hope and joy ahead. And in the meantime, He will never forsake us or abandon us. Our God is a mighty God.
May you enjoy the faith of the pastor who rose to the pulpit and gave his nine word sermon:
“The Lord is my shepherd…and that is enough.”
Another verse that gives us assurance of our Lord’s presence during those difficult and trying times is Isaiah 43:1-3. He talks about WHEN we go through the waters, the rivers, the fire…not IF. And, He promises be WITH us.
THANK YOU for sharing this passage of God’s steadfastness in our trials. It is a god fit for today’s reading. Blessings, Karen!