Thou Art with Me

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for thou art with me. Psalm 23:4

Thank You, LORD, for giving me life,
Not just life,
but life with You.
Not just life with You,
but Your life in me.
Not just Christ in me,
but I in You—my hope of glory.
Not just me in You, but through You I produce good fruit for God.
Thank You LORD for giving me life with grand purpose in You.

Life is not a matter of knowledge of God or doing for God, but of a loving relationship with God.

An Unexpected Turn

SH_1711010-1277

Bend in the road of the Blue Ridge Parkway

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; Psalm 23:4

No matter how many unseen twists and turns life takes, God knows each one before hand and promises to go with us.

Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,
even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.
If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me
and the light become night around me,”
even the darkness will not be dark to you;
the night will shine like the day,
for darkness is as light to you. Psalm 139:7-12

Light in the Background

Early morning light

Early morning sunshine through the woods

This scene attracted my attention because of the light behind the trees. The foreground is cold with snow covering the tree limbs, but in the background the sun light holds the promise of a beautiful day. The sunlight truly makes all the difference in this picture.

Recently I had been praying for a dear Aunt in hospice going through the last stages of life. On the day before she died I used the 23 Psalm as a prayer for her and the family. When I came to verse 4 it literally jumped off the page.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil, for You are with me. Psalm 23:4

God’s presence is what makes all the difference in life. There is no circumstance, no illness, no terror that will overwhelm having Jesus with us. On the flip side, there is nothing (fame, wealth, power, or person) that can match having Him in our life.

Jesus is with my aunt, her family and with me. As I allowed this truth to sink in, my heart and mind calmed in His presence. He is the light behind the trees of grief and sorrow. The wonderful knowledge that He is with us will never lose its power to brighten the day of fear, grief, or shame, into a day of hope, comfort, and ultimately joy.