Daily Devotional for Thursday, April 23, 2009 Have you missed any of our devotionals? Remember they can be found in the Archive section of our Website
http://www.gospelines.com "Through the Valley" "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me." (Psalm 23:4 - KJV) What does it mean to "walk through the valley"? Webster's dictionary defines a valley as, "An elongated depression of the earth's surface usually between ranges of hills or mountains; or, an area drained by a river and its tributaries." These definitions describe a depression that is open on both ends - something we can enter, walk through and exit on the other side. Webster's also calls a valley a "low point or condition" - Another "depression" that is open on both ends - something we enter, walk through and then exit. If we take a closer look at the Hebrew words for death (tsalmaveth), fear (yate'), evil (ra' or rah) and comfort (nacham) in the passage above, we begin to see a complete picture of the vision the Psalmist's was painting with his words: "Yes, though I may be walking through a deep, dark and sunless valley of distress, danger and depression, even in the shadow of death, I will not fear, dread or be astonished by any wickedness, hurt, trouble, unhappiness or misery, for You, my God, are with me; Your Love and mercy protect and defend me and Your Word guides and controls me so I will be comforted and at ease." The Psalmist was so confident that with God by his side, he could go through the valley and come out on the other side in joy and peace that he concluded this psalm with the words: "Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever." (Psalm 23:6 - NIV) That vision of coming through trouble is echoed by Jesus when He says, "In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." (John 16:33) He also said He would be with us always. (Matthew 28:20). So, as sin and trouble in this world take us into those dark valleys, we can be sure that the love and grace of God will increased all the more, so that, just as sin brings death, His grace will bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord (Romans 5:20-21) and that we will be filled with His joy and peace. (Romans 5:1, 15:13; Galatians 5:22) GospeLines Prayer: Father, You have assured us that You will always be with us and that You will never leave us. Through Your Son Jesus Christ, You have overcome the world and all its evil. Fill us with the knowledge of Your will Father so through faith, we may have Your joy and peace even in times of deep trouble and tribulation. Build us up in our most Holy faith through Your Spirit Father. Forgive our sins, heal our bodies and our souls and grant us peace, in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen. Pastor RonU ".I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me." - John 14:6 (KJV) Amen and Amen! _____________________________________________________ O. Addison Gethers e-mail address : [email protected] or [email protected] window live messenger: [email protected] aim: durangoadd64 skype: cowboys62 yahoo messenger: OADDISONGETHERS --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Deaf-Blind Inspirational Life Group" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/DBILG?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
