Heidi (we are Facebook buddies so I can be informal) started her sermon by saying she had something completely different planned for that morning, but the Holy Spirit worked on her all week and she felt led to speak on Psalm 23. Needless to say, those words took my breath away because I knew it was for me. Here are some of the highlights that I wrote about in my journal. Heidi's elaboration is in green.
Psalm 23
The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
The Lord is a sovereign ruler who exhibits strength in my life. My King exhibits strength, and is my guide. God is my security and I have everything I need. He provides.2 He makes me lie down in green pastures (food),
he leads me beside quiet waters (drink), 3 he refreshes my soul (God keeps me alive).
He guides me along the right paths (safety)
for his name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk
through the darkest valley,
cancer
I will fear no evil, for you are with me;
Evil is real, and the threat of darkness is real. God's people are not exempt and stuff happens. In the midst of it we can fear no evil because God is with us. There is no darkness so deep that God is not deeper still! We are not alone. We are secure because the shepherd will never abandon the sheep. Our sovereign God will never give up rule. This is a radical trust, not a cake walk!
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies
in the presence of my enemies
(Evil threats are always there).
You anoint my head with oil;
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life
6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life
I will dwell in the house of the Lord
forever.
forever.
God is determined not abandon us!
We can call out to God and cry, "Come!"
Through the darkness, God replies, "I am with you!"
The sermon was followed up with the words from Jesus in John 10:7-10:
7 Therefore Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. 8 All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. 9 I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved.[a] They will come in and go out, and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
God came into the world by His Son Jesus. Jesus is God with skin on. Jesus identifies himself as the shepherd who is determined to never let the sheep go. Jesus is the shepherd in Psalm 23. Stuff happens, but grace happens.
I wrote in my journal that after the service, Adam prayed with Jon and I. After our prayer, Heidi came up to us. I told her that I felt her sermon was meant for me. We embraced and she told me she would be praying for me.
Not only were the words that were spoken very powerful and encouraging, but the fact that God orchestrated that morning made me feel even more loved and valued by God. He was using many people to convey His Word and strengthen me for the battle ahead.
It is my prayer that in your darkest valley, you will know the Shepherd and listen for His voice. As the scripture continues in John, Jesus says that His sheep know his voice and follow Him. They can never be snatched from His hand. I knew God's voice that day, and later in my journal I wrote this:
"I really feel like God is going to use this for His glory. I don't feel worthy at all to be His tool, but in my inner core I trust God in this valley."
I hope you know the voice of God and are letting Jesus walk through the valleys with you. Stuff happens, but you don't have to walk alone thanks to Jesus' grace.
Sandy
