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The blessing through the valley Psalm 23:1-6 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; he leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake. 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. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.” We do not want because we rest in him, he leads us to comfort without turmoil, we are satisfied with his peace. As the psalmist writes in Ps 5:8 Lead me, O LORD, in Your righteousness because of my enemies;Make Your way straight before my face." Similarly in the New Testament Romans 5:3-4 “ And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance;and perseverance, character; and character, hope.” God’s light does not light up the highway you are on but only the next step, we take each step by faith. As we journey with him we are assured,“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?”(Rom 8:35) Acts 14:22 “ strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, "We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God." The lord des not abandon US THROUGH OUT TRIALS,but is right there with us. There is suffering in the valley, but there is rest on the mountaintop. A place you can look at where you traveled from, seeing the path you were led through. Ps 36:5-6” our mercy, O LORD, is in the heavens; Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds. Your righteousness is like the great mountains; Ps 85:13 Righteousness will go before Him, And shall make His footsteps our pathway.” Christianity is not about making one happy but holy. It is to have the joy of the Lord even through your circumstances, as it is said the joy of the Lord is your strength. He makes us overcomers. Happiness is dependent on the circumstance biblical joy is not. To achieve this joy, Lay your burdens at the cross cast your cares upon him for he cares for you. Sweet surrender to the one who watches over your soul. |
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