He Walks With Me
Rochester, Michigan. A walk in the park. June 19, 2022.
I was recently reminded, as I was about to walk into a difficult situation, that I am not walking alone. That no matter what I will face, or what is behind that closed door, I have somebody walking besides me.
I do not have to fear.
“The Lord is my Shepherd; I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for His Name's sake. Even 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. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” (Psalm 23)
This Psalm has been in the back of my mind since the beginning of the year. It brought comfort and peace to my heart in many situations. I remember as a child, I did not understand what it meant to have God as a Shepherd, what that looked like and how it applied to me. As time passed on though, and as I encountered different circumstances in life, I began to understand the significance of it.
The Lord is my Shepherd. He is the good Shepherd who cares for the sheep.
He does not run away when trouble comes.
He does not abandon when the path gets tough.
He provides and leads the sheep to places of rest, refreshment and abundance.
And, when the enemy attacks, He protects and fights for the sheep.
When the sheep gets hurt, He carries it and bandages the wounds.
And even when the sheep starts going on a side path, the Shepherd searches it out and brings it safely back to the fold.
“He tends His flock like a shepherd:
He gathers the lambs in His arms and carries them close to His heart;
He gently leads those that have young.” (Isaiah 40:11)
Following the Shepherd does not mean the absence of trouble or difficulty. Sometimes, you will have to pass through dark valleys, dangerous roads, and even encounter the enemy face to face. That is not the time to throw in the towel. Dark valleys are not a place to set up camp. And you are not in it alone. The Shepherd is still right there with you. Keep your eyes on Him. He will lead you through.
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1)
And so, my friends, I do not know how your life situation looks like right now, or what or who you have to face tomorrow, but I do know that you can experience peace even in the middle of difficulty. Remind yourself of the truth of this Psalm: the Lord God is your Shepherd. He walks with you through the darkest of valleys, and has not abandoned you. He fights for you and will bring you out victorious. He will restore you and carry you in the safety of His arms. And you can find rest, goodness and mercy in the presence of the Lord, our good Shepherd.
