As I write tonight I am overwhelmed with gratefulness, thankful for some gifts from God that I was able to experience. One was only a few minutes ago as I took a very late walk that I initially found difficult to do (getting myself out of the comfort of my recliner), where I saw a shooting star. It is a mysterious and altogether beautiful sight to see, and always immediately turns me toward my Creator in awe and wonder and causes me to think about how glorious He really is and how I can live to please Him. If I had not been prodded to get out and take that walk, I would have missed it.
I also had the fantastic opportunity to attend a Promise Keepers in event in Phoenix, AZ that left me longing to trust and obey God, awaken from complacent and comfortable slumber, and make commitments to be courageous in life's battle(s) and be encouraged by His Word EVERY single day.
As we face the battles of life, as we extend ourselves in providing for our families, as we are caring for others, as we faithfully pray for those we love and our enemies too, as we strive and struggle - there is comfort. Sometimes that comfort comes from a somewhat unexpected source, the prodding of the staff of God.
Take a look at Psalm 23, one of the most often quoted passages from Scripture:
"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. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow if death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me..." - Psalm 23:1-4
Most times I key in on the "still waters" and "green pastures" parts. But the staff and rod comforting us captured my attention lately. That staff shows us so much about God, and how He is with us:
To rescue us.
To protect us.
To guide us.
To prod us back into battle when the hard things of life cause us to run away.
As Jill Briscoe says, "We may be facing tough challenges, but God's compassions never fail us. They are 'new every morning,'" she says, and great will be His faithfulness (see Lamentations 3:22-23). If things are right when we are on our knees, they will be right when we are on our feet."
Briscoe admits that she has run away from hard things and felt the unmistakable prodding of the Good Shepherd's crook. She says, "This is how He 'encourages' me back into the midst of the battle to do my part."
As we walk in newness of life, we need not lose heart as the tougher days come and go. If you have trusted in Jesus, you can know and draw upon His endless Strength. Actually, He is our Strength. He is your ever present help in troubles. His grace, sufficient in our weakness, enables us to walk and walk strongly and confidently into the great unknown future. He can handle it. He is in complete control. He's got this. He is holding on to you, so hold on too, to His mighty hand and be still and know, He is God. He will never leave His people, never forsake them, never make them fend for themselves. Please be encouraged, even when we must be prodded back into the fray, Be comforted, knowing you can run to Him and lean on His everlasting arms. He is good. Believe Him. Trust Him.
Please pray with me:
Father, sometimes the challenges in front of me seem overwhelming. Please help me to remember that I can cry out to You and that Your mercies are new every morning, and that includes this morning. Thank you, LORD Jesus, in whose name I pray. Amen.
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