Walking Through the Chaos
SOME DAYS are harder than others, especially around the holidays. Life can feel like a roller coaster, and I’ve been on a wild ride for a while. When I’m down in a valley, I take a walk with God and focus on one Psalm that always pours God’s truth into my earthly reality. I hope my transparent moment of intimacy with my God, Who loves us unconditionally and forever, speaks to your heart, particularly if you’re on your own wild ride.
WHEN DARKNESS CLOSES IN & COURAGE FAILS ME
v.1 THE LORD is my Shepherd; I shall not want.
God, You provide everything I need.
An abundance, out of Your limitless riches
But Lord, my heart is weary.
I can no longer stand under the persecution.
I curl into a fetal ball wishing all to end.
I did not sign up for this plight.
The pain is too much. . .
v.2a HE MAKES me to lie down in green pastures;
I am like a child at night,
Unable to settle down. Nightmares.
The enemy steals my peace.
Please make me lie down
in the lush pastures of Your provision.
Only You can give rest amid the grief.
v.2b HE LEADS me beside the still waters.
The churning waters of CHAOS!
My heart fears.
Where is my hope?
Where is my future?
Take my fear, Lord! Take it.
In exchange, give me Love, and power,
and a sound mind
“Live one day at a time, child.
My grace is not sufficient for tomorrow until it becomes today.”
v.3 HE RESTORES my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.
I will praise You. I will trust You.
My soul finds peace amid the chaos.
Jesus dwells in my heart, and
He cannot deny Himself (selah)
He is leading me…
No, He is carrying me
v.4a YEA, THOUGH I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me;
My enemies feel larger than life.
Drowning . . . merely a shadow
Defeat . . . merely a shadow
Abandonment . . . a shadow
So many shadows . . .
God already delivered me from them all
Jesus already destroyed the works of Darkness
v.4b YOUR ROD and Your staff, they comfort me.
My God, a flawless Father,
Always has my best interest in mind.
Always more concerned about my heart.
My character. My salvation.
Always sculpting a masterpiece out of my ash heap.
Never putting me through more than HE can handle.
v.5 YOU PREPARE a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over.
Darkness, Death, and Destruction
pressed in around me. Chaos mushroomed.
Oppression stole my appetite for food.
The sight of it offended my stomach.
God enters. The Father of Light
shakes out a satin cloth over a table.
Lights candles & pours wine.
He pulls out a chair,
and invites me to dine
To trust
To obey
v.6a SURELY GOODNESS and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life;
Goodness and Mercy
are not shadows.
They are real.
Tangible.
And in hot pursuit
v.6b AND I WILL dwell in the house of the Lord. Forever.
This truth, I choose to believe.
and to receive.
AMEN!
