The lord is my shepherd (4)

Text: Psalm 23:1-6
Key verse: Psalm 23:4: “Yea, 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.” (NKJV)

Sometimes in our lives we experience some not so palatable situations. This is not so unusual because it could happen to the children of God. This is why the sweet Psalmist says: “Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil.” Though something happens in your life that it is difficult to bear; it may look so dark, so painful or brings tears, never loose hope.

The challenge may be so hard to bear. It may be to the extent that people will begin to doubt if you are truly Jesus Christ’s friend. They will begin ask the reason behind your challenges.

God’s friends are not free from these everyday experiences; in fact, these challenges are part of their life. So, whenever these challenges come upon you, do not fear, rather say: “ Yea, though I walk through the valley of shadow of death, I will fear no evil.” Child of God, you will fear no evil.

There is a lot of evil going on around. May be somebody had a dream and he tells you that in the dream you were killed or that the whole world was against you and wanted to kill you. He told you that he saw people chasing you with riffles and machete or other dangerous items; do not be afraid, look onto God.

The Scripture says greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world (1 John 4:4). The Bible also says that this is the victory that overcomes the world, even our faith in Jesus Christ (1 John 5:4). Jesus is greater than every other name you have ever known. And so, if you are passing through some difficulties today, if people are threatening you today or say they are going to put an end to your life; they only want to put fear into you because they do not have such powers over your life.

Apostle Paul told his son, Timothy, that God has given to us, His Children, the spirit of boldness and not of fear. God has given us the spirit of love, the spirit of power and the spirit of sound mind that is in operation in our lives (2 Timothy 1:7).

The Psalmist says, though I walk through the valley of shadow of death and though everything looks bleak and despondent, I will fear no evil. Why? For the Lord is with me. The Lord is with you in that your situation and no matter how dark it may appear or how threatening the situation is or even how overwhelmingly negative it may be, the whole world will hear your testimony. No matter how distraught the situation may want to make you feel or be, the Lord is in it: the Omnipotent God is there with you; the Omniscient, who knows the matter from the beginning is there to see you through.

• Today’s nugget: Friends of God are not immune from Problems. Prayer: I will fear no evil for the Lord is with me. Prayer lines: 08054477940. E-mail: [email protected]. Rev. Pastor Ejikeme Ejim, General Superintendent, Assemblies of God Nigeria.

The Psalmist says that your rod and thy staff shall comfort me. There may be different times for the rod and the staff. The Apostle Paul tells us how this rod of God is profitable for correction, for instruction and for everything in all godliness (2 Timothy 3:16-17). The Lord knows how to guide; the Lord knows how to correct; the Lord knows when He should bring discipline and the Lord knows when He should just correct, teach and lead quietly.

• Today’s nugget: Friends of God are not immune from Problems. Prayer: I will fear no evil for the Lord is with me. Prayer lines: 08054477940. E-mail: [email protected]. Rev. Pastor Ejikeme Ejim, General Superintendent, Assemblies of God Nigeria.