(Insert your trial here) is not the be-all, end-all in life. Living in the joy of my salvation is. Being carried by my Shepherd through the valley of the shadow of death is. While being carried, I can realistically describe this deathly dark valley as green pastures and tranquil waters. Because that is the reality of my Divine Shepherd. This is the miracle He does. His miracle is not to change the dark valley into green grass and clear waters, it is to create this reality inside of me. That wherever I go, this reality is within me, because He is with me. The reality that my Shepherd IS the green pasture and IS the quiet waters. So wherever I go, this is what I experience, even in the midst of tears and pain. Tears and pain my Shepherd knows well and shares with me, as He continues to usher me closer to His House, where tears of pain and valleys of death cease to exist.
Psalm 23
1 The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
3 he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
for his name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk
through the darkest valley,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
forever.
He is:
Author of Beyond the Battle: A man's guide to his identity in Christ in an oversexualized world
Host of the The Flip Side Podcast
Join an online men's small group led by Noah and team at BeyondTheBattle.net
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