Walking through the valley of the shadow of death
Article by Joe Kirby
UK Street Preacher
Psalm 23:4 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.
There are 3 comforting thoughts I'd like us dwell on from this lovely verse.
1.Shadows don't kill people
I don't expect you've ever witnessed a sword fight firsthand? Neither have I!
But supposing we did and the shadow of the sword fell across your body. Would you die from the shadow? It might shock you, it might spook you but it certainly wouldn't kill you!
You see once we are in Christ, the sting of death has been removed, it's only the shadow which remains. Death is the final enemy but because of the cross it is a defeated enemy.
2. Lying down defeated won't get you very far
David writes "though I walk." You might be in the middle of a pandemic... but you still have to keep walking. You might have lost your job... but you still have to keep walking. In all of your years of evangelism you might have seen no converts... but you still have to keep walking. What other choice do you have? Lying down defeated won't get you very far . Self pity (as tempting as that can often be) has never helped anyone before. There is no other option,. There is no plan B . Our only choice is to take one step at a time. Just one small step at a time . Keep your eyes on the Shepherd and He will get you through this valley.
3. Don't rush God
But again note David walks. It doesn't say Yea though I run through the valley of the shadow of death. No it says he walks. You see the man of God, the woman of God doesn't run , they quietly endure the trial God has permitted to fall into their life. Perhaps I'm the only one who can't wait for an end to this crisis. But we mustn't rush the lectures of God for when we finish we will get a PHD in suffering which is better than anything you can get at Oxford or Cambridge.
Let me leave you with one final question. When we get there, when we arrive safely home, will there be any shadows in heaven?
No the glories of the Lord Jesus Christ will shine far too brightly for there to be any shadows in heaven. As the children's hymn goes "Shine Jesus shine," and He will shine! So at this difficult time let us point the world to the Saviour who has walked through the darkest valley and longs for all mankind to also reach His shadowless paradise.
When we face giants
Article by Joe Kirby
UK Street Preacher
When I was a little boy one of my favourite stories was the battle between David and Goliath, but as I got older I realised
this wasn't just a story for children but one that adults also needed to dwell on too. Just before David stepped out in faith ready to fight the enemy it's interesting to note how his oldest brother Eliab tried to demoralize him. Often when we seek to live by faith it's our nearest and dearest, those who live with us, who try to discourage us. But in those moments we must keep our eyes fixed on the path God has called us to walk. What's also interesting is sometimes when we face giants others will try to prescribe to us their method of defeating the giant. Saul did the same thing, giving David his armour to wear, but because David was too small the armour didn't fit his frame.There's a lesson for us here too. God engineers all kinds of situations and processes to help us defeat our giants.
However, just because it works for someone else doesn't mean it will work for you; God may have a completely different battle plan for you.When David finally squared up to Goliath he killed him with a sling - a children's toy.
To quote E.M. Bounds:
"The church is looking for better methods, but God is looking for better men."
We often measure everything by what we see or what we hear and it leads us to discouragement. But when we walk by faith God comes into our lives and does the unexplainable.In 2021, mark my words, you will face giants. Perhaps today you will have a giant to face. Well, you have two choices - walk by sight and be crippled by anxiety like the soldiers of Israel when they saw the 9 foot giant. Or walk by faith like David and trust the
living God to fight the battles for you. After all, the battle is already won. Jesus has risen and because of Him we are more than conquerors.
UK Street Preacher
When I was a little boy one of my favourite stories was the battle between David and Goliath, but as I got older I realised
this wasn't just a story for children but one that adults also needed to dwell on too. Just before David stepped out in faith ready to fight the enemy it's interesting to note how his oldest brother Eliab tried to demoralize him. Often when we seek to live by faith it's our nearest and dearest, those who live with us, who try to discourage us. But in those moments we must keep our eyes fixed on the path God has called us to walk. What's also interesting is sometimes when we face giants others will try to prescribe to us their method of defeating the giant. Saul did the same thing, giving David his armour to wear, but because David was too small the armour didn't fit his frame.There's a lesson for us here too. God engineers all kinds of situations and processes to help us defeat our giants.
However, just because it works for someone else doesn't mean it will work for you; God may have a completely different battle plan for you.When David finally squared up to Goliath he killed him with a sling - a children's toy.
To quote E.M. Bounds:
"The church is looking for better methods, but God is looking for better men."
We often measure everything by what we see or what we hear and it leads us to discouragement. But when we walk by faith God comes into our lives and does the unexplainable.In 2021, mark my words, you will face giants. Perhaps today you will have a giant to face. Well, you have two choices - walk by sight and be crippled by anxiety like the soldiers of Israel when they saw the 9 foot giant. Or walk by faith like David and trust the
living God to fight the battles for you. After all, the battle is already won. Jesus has risen and because of Him we are more than conquerors.
