As I was reading the post about the person embittered about circumstances, the 23rd Psalm came to mind. Mainly verse four.

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.

This scripture is well known for funerals yet I find it a hope for the living.

The scriptures say that many are in the valley of decision and they say that man's life is but a shadow.

As we walk through this shadow, or life, we have a decision to make. Will we turn to the Lord our God with all of our heart, soul, strength and mind or turn for the world.

We find that as the word of God declares the whole world lies in darkness and wickedness. Truly this temporal kingdom of darkness is but a test to see if we love our precious Lord more than anything else.

We can see then that the valley of the shadow of death is our need of decisions in this sinful world we live in while we abide in this earthen tabernacle as Peter put it.

If our mind is stayed upon our Lord he has promised to free us from the spirit of fear wherein is bondage and give us liberty with a spirit of peace and a sound mind. That evil, or the devil and the temporal fleshly kingdom he uses to tempt us in we shall not fear.

We know we have nothing to fear as our Lord has told us that he has overcome this world. He is faithful to deliver us from this world one day just as David rescued his two wives. We, the Jew and Gentile wives have his precious Spirit within us and thereby our Lord in our hearts by faith.

It's such a blessing to know that the rod which hath come forth from the stem of jesse shall be our comfort as we face the euroclydon of trials in this evil world.

That staff, or that which the great shepherd guides his flock with is always with us as well. When the serpent raises his head against us this prophet like unto Moses has a staff, or rod that will devour the adversary's.

Just as those shepherds of old used that staff's hook to grab that lamb we have that blessed assurance that our loving Lord's Spirit will encircle us and pull us back to our shepherd should we go astray.

And that staff, or Spirit is in the hands of the greatest shepherd of all. The one that laid down his life for his flock. He who knew no sin, yet took on our sins.

Truly he has prepared a table for his children in the midst of their enemies. And, it's comforting to know that as the children of light dine on a table of bread and wine in a kingdom of darkness our Lord is right there with us.

When evil befalls us let us love as he loved and let us deny ourselves and seek the comfort of others rather than ourselves. The evil will come but the Good Shepherd is with us.

May God bless you.

Tiffany