GPS Guide – March 25, 2020

FEAR

Wednesday

Read: 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.

Study: Followers of God have the benefit of an eternal perspective.  God’s people believe that God is at work, and ultimately God will have a complete victory over sin and death.  The writer of the 23rd Psalm reminds us that God is good, and God will always care for his children. But he also reminds us in verse 4 that we will walk through valleys of darkness and death.  Unfortunately these valleys are inevitable for each of us, but they are also things that we will move through. We will not live in the valley of darkness forever. Eventually in this life or the next God will bring us through the valleys of darkness, and we will watch as our cup of blessings overflows.  Sometimes we are afraid during difficult times (dark valleys) because we think the difficult times will last forever. However, we do not have to fear evil when we remember that we are not in the dark valleys alone, and we will not be there forever because God is with us. The time of the overflowing cup is near!

Prayer: God, help me remember that you have goodness in store for me.  Help me remember that my story is not over, and that it will not be over in a time of darkness.  God I no longer have to be afraid because you are with me. You have promised that goodness and love with follow me all the days of my life, thank you Lord.