I had an experience recently that made Psalm 23 come so alive!
I know many of us have experienced pain so deep that you barely have the strength to pray in the valley so low.
I tell you, without any shadow of a doubt, "He knows!" And He also hears our cry out to Him.
I was sitting at lakefront, a place I love to go and talk to God. I use to go when marital problems were unbearable. Now I was there for a desperate need of comfort because I felt so crushed in my Spirit watching my husband battle terminal lung cancer. Full of anxiety and fear, I cried out to God. I said, "You would always meet me in this place. I don't want to feel this way God, and I know You don't want me to. I need Your comfort." I continued to just sit and listen to my Christian music. Within about 15 to 20 minutes, I was looking down the sidewalk at a group of about 6 people walking in my direction. I noticed from a distance this one guy had a shirt that looked familiar to one that I have. As he came closer, it was the same. It said in big letters, "NO OTHER NAME." I asked him where he got it? I told him, "I have the same shirt. It was given out at a convention I work at when Night of Joy is coming around. This one was from Hillsong United." He said that's where he got it.
Long story short, he asked me, "what's wrong?" Forgetting all about asking God for comfort, I said, "I'm just really hurting. My husband is terminally ill and I am so scared. As much faith and love that I have for God I can't seem to shake the anxiety. Would you all mind praying?" Without hesitation, we all joined hands as if no one else was around. Even the 2 little boys. I heard their little voices saying, "please Jesus," over and over. Then I felt someone touch my head and continue in a very powerful prayer. I felt the fear and pain I was feeling go away. I know God sent them. He heard my cry.
Psalm 34:17, "The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears, He delivers them from all their troubles."
But the Psalm that really says it all for me is Psalm 23. Let me break it apart for you how it personally spoke to me after this encounter.
I may be walking through a valley of the shadow of death, but His rod and staff comfort me. He prepares a table for me, and He is upholding me because of my ongoing relationship and trust in His will. God met me right where I was at. He sat me down in the presence of my enemy, which is the anxiety and fear of the unknown ending of my husband's cancer and had me face it. He covered me in the prayers of these people, "anoints my head with oil," and peace came to me.
Most of us want God to fix things. The things that are breaking us down. He does, He fixes you. Prayers aren't always answered the way we want them to be. But God will make you VERY AWARE of His presence when He comes and meets you at your lowest point. In the valley of the shadow of death. He will meet you there, and your cup will still overflow.
I will dwell with Him forever.
…..mvdevotional.blogspot.com
Kim
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