"I called on the LORD in distress;
The LORD answered me
and set me in a broad place.
The LORD is on my side;
I will not fear.
What can man do to me?"
Psalm 118:5-6
******************************
Jehovah Raah
The Lord My Shepherd
The LORD answered me
and set me in a broad place.
The LORD is on my side;
I will not fear.
What can man do to me?"
Psalm 118:5-6
******************************
Jehovah Raah
The Lord My Shepherd
In these often troubling times, fear is all around us. Many fear for losing their jobs, careers, or homes. Many have fears regarding health issues or insurance issues. No doubt about it, there is an abundance of fear all around us today in America.
With so much talk of "hope" lately, we see very little comfort in the news on television or in newspapers no matter who resides in the White House or when.
One thing is for sure, the Scriptures have always told us not to rely on man for comfort or safety simply because man is finite. Man is a temporary presence here on this planet. We would be foolish to place all our hopes on man.
Please read:
James 4:14
Instead, we are told to place all our hopes on the LORD God who lives and reigns today as He did yesterday.
Psalm 118:8-9
With so much talk of "hope" lately, we see very little comfort in the news on television or in newspapers no matter who resides in the White House or when.
One thing is for sure, the Scriptures have always told us not to rely on man for comfort or safety simply because man is finite. Man is a temporary presence here on this planet. We would be foolish to place all our hopes on man.
Please read:
James 4:14
Instead, we are told to place all our hopes on the LORD God who lives and reigns today as He did yesterday.
Psalm 118:8-9
The psalmists knew of what they wrote. They had lived through many rulers of men only to see the LORD God come through in the end for His people. Therefore, it is no real surprise what King David wrote:
"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."
-Psalm 23:4
******************************************
The Valley of the Shadow of Death
King David knew of which he wrote. He had to live in fear for his life for many months when he became King. He hid out in caves hoping that King Saul would not kill him.
While in those caves, David wrote many beautiful songs to the Lord:
Ps 7
Ps 9
Ps 17
"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."
-Psalm 23:4
******************************************
The Valley of the Shadow of Death
King David knew of which he wrote. He had to live in fear for his life for many months when he became King. He hid out in caves hoping that King Saul would not kill him.
While in those caves, David wrote many beautiful songs to the Lord:
Ps 7
Ps 9
Ps 17
Ps 18
These are just some of the wonderful works of David as he acknowledged God's faithfulness toward His anointed.
How can we acknowledge God's faithfulness toward us during times of uncertainty?
We can turn our eyes upon Him and give Him all the glory:
Ps 115:1
Ps 116:3-9
Ps 27:1
It is far better for us to fear the Lord than to fear death.
Ps 115:13
Ps 18:28
We live in a world where men fear the end of the earth. They try in vain to stop the earth from coming to an end thinking that we can have any influence on its demise.
But we would be wise to fear the LORD who created the earth, sun, and moon. We would be wise to fear Him who allows the sun to shine upon us without destroying us:
Ps 84:11
God is both giver and protector. He allows our sun to shine on us because He knows we need its light. Yet it is He who protects us from its heat. It is He who holds the world in His hands. Yes, it is wise to fear Him rather than the earth.
Is 60:19-20
Micah 7:8
He is our everlasting light! Fear the One who can turn out that light and end our lives. What can death do to a Christian who fears the LORD?
******************************
For You are With Me
Remember the covenant promises:
Provisions
Protection
Presence
Here King David reminds us that the LORD God is with those who fear Him. We have the promise of His presence in our lives. Praise God for that!
Ex 15:2
Ps 62:7
Ps 118:14
Is 12:2
The LORD God is our strength and song.
****************************
Well, that's it for today. I've given you alot of Scripture to look up and read. Carefully and prayerfully read each verse and meditate on them. You have a protector to get you through any difficult time in life.
You have that shield to protect you in any battle.
It is the LORD God who is there to help you in any situation. Call upon His name to be saved from your enemies. He is faithful and true.
He is the Good Shepherd.
**************************************************
"After reading Scripture, we must ask God for light to scrutinize our hearts and lives, then meditate upon the Word. Disciplined meditation on Scripture helps us focus on God. Meditation helps us view our worship as a discipline. It involves our mind and understanding as well as our heart and affections. It works Scripture through the texture of the soul...pray without ceasing."
-Dr. Joel Beeke (as cited in "Feed My Sheep", 2002, p. 117)
Next time we will look at what the Rod & Staff mean to the Christian.
Blessings,
Ruth
These are just some of the wonderful works of David as he acknowledged God's faithfulness toward His anointed.
How can we acknowledge God's faithfulness toward us during times of uncertainty?
We can turn our eyes upon Him and give Him all the glory:
Ps 115:1
Ps 116:3-9
Ps 27:1
It is far better for us to fear the Lord than to fear death.
Ps 115:13
Ps 18:28
We live in a world where men fear the end of the earth. They try in vain to stop the earth from coming to an end thinking that we can have any influence on its demise.
But we would be wise to fear the LORD who created the earth, sun, and moon. We would be wise to fear Him who allows the sun to shine upon us without destroying us:
Ps 84:11
God is both giver and protector. He allows our sun to shine on us because He knows we need its light. Yet it is He who protects us from its heat. It is He who holds the world in His hands. Yes, it is wise to fear Him rather than the earth.
Is 60:19-20
Micah 7:8
He is our everlasting light! Fear the One who can turn out that light and end our lives. What can death do to a Christian who fears the LORD?
******************************
For You are With Me
Remember the covenant promises:
Provisions
Protection
Presence
Here King David reminds us that the LORD God is with those who fear Him. We have the promise of His presence in our lives. Praise God for that!
Ex 15:2
Ps 62:7
Ps 118:14
Is 12:2
The LORD God is our strength and song.
****************************
Well, that's it for today. I've given you alot of Scripture to look up and read. Carefully and prayerfully read each verse and meditate on them. You have a protector to get you through any difficult time in life.
You have that shield to protect you in any battle.
It is the LORD God who is there to help you in any situation. Call upon His name to be saved from your enemies. He is faithful and true.
He is the Good Shepherd.
**************************************************
"After reading Scripture, we must ask God for light to scrutinize our hearts and lives, then meditate upon the Word. Disciplined meditation on Scripture helps us focus on God. Meditation helps us view our worship as a discipline. It involves our mind and understanding as well as our heart and affections. It works Scripture through the texture of the soul...pray without ceasing."
-Dr. Joel Beeke (as cited in "Feed My Sheep", 2002, p. 117)
Next time we will look at what the Rod & Staff mean to the Christian.
Blessings,
Ruth
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