"THOU ART WITH ME!"

Psalms 23:1-6              (KJV)
"1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever."


I was recently perusing the internet and came across this PRAYER on a social media site: Dear GOD, I don't ask You to make my life easier, but I ask You to give me the strength to face all of my trouble. AMEN.  As I began to meditate this prayer, my mind went to verse 4 and 5 of Psalms 23.

King David recognized trouble and heartache.  Many times he wrote how he had failed GOD and needed forgiveness.  Yet, in Psalms 23:4 King David did not ask GOD for the "valley of the shadow of death" to disappear.  Rather he pledged, as he walked through this valley, he would "fear no evil"!

How do you "fear no evil" when your world is crashing in on you?  How do you "fear no evil" when your banker calls wanting a payment?  How do you "fear no evil" when the doctor gives you a bad diagnosis?  How do you "fear no evil" when the police officer brings unwanted news about a family member?  The answer is in the next breath....."FOR THOU ART WITH ME"!  GOD ALMIGHTY is with us when trials and tribulations come our way or when good times are here.  HIS rod and staff they comfort me lets us know HE loves us too much to allow us to stray out of HIS care.

For HIM to prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies has to be one of the most comforting statements in scripture.  GOD ALMIGHTY is not worried that the enemy will gain advantage over us when we are eating.  Our spending time with HIM, eating from HIS table, tells HIM that we are trusting in HIM to protect and provide for us.

FATHER GOD, cause me to be reminded that as long as "THOU ART WITH ME", I have nothing to fear!  The enemy can throw all the darts he can muster, but I will not fear.  Thank you GOD, for the peace and comfort of resting in the green pastures and the cool, still waters!