Part 9: Listen from the perspective that God has purposed to be our friend.
Part Two
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff they comfort me. We listen from the truth that ‘God has not given us the Spirit of Fear, but the Spirit of His Love, His Power and His disciplined mind.’ Believing this New Testament truth is a game changer. When we walk in light of this truth, the shadows of death are exposed. His Rod of correction and His staff of direction comfort us and arm us with what is needed to ‘fear no evil’. In relationship with Jesus, we emerge with more than enough truth to combat the shadows of death. His light is our portion for life.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. The advancement of His strategy for victory happened more than 2,000 years ago. His victory and resurrection power empowers and holds me secure in His presence. His presence is so powerful, that the presence of my enemy’s attacks come up short, but I don’t! My place of victory stands ready for action.
You anoint my head with oil. Acts 10:38 reminds us how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with Him. The Plus-Factor is that Jesus told us in John 14:12-14 that the things that He did, we can do and even greater things! It’s His anointing, His name, His ownership in our lives that makes this possible.
My cup runs over. In other words, His anointing and presence in our life is more than enough!
I don’t need the cup of my intellect to run over, nor my popularity to excel. I just need Him. He is always more than enough.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life. His goodness and mercy come behind me to keep me focused and growing on who He is in my present. I have a confidence that assures me that I don’t have to look back to see if He is coming behind me because I know that He does both: He goes before me and He comes behind me.
I’m surrounded by Him because He lives in and through me.
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. This is the promise that reminds us that this earth is not our home. We are aliens on a planet that will pass away, but we will live forever in the presence of the Lord…His house is forever. Psalm 23 is a forever message that should keep us listening for the sound of the trumpet. Our relocation is getting closer and closer, everyday!
Note from Gene:
This is the final series of Now Matters Devotions. In the New Year we will look back at the devotional thoughts of the past 28 months. Please let me know if Now Matters, matters to you.
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