08/12/2013 - THE VALLEY OF THE SHADOW OF DEATH

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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. Psalm 23:4

In our spiritual preparation, the Lord allows us to go through many tribulations. However, those who trust God know that nothing can take them away from the divine presence; that’s why they don’t become desperate when they face the threats the enemy prepares. God is never going to forget or abandon His sons (Is. 49:15), He assured us that this would never happen. Therefore, do not allow the enemy to fool you; after all, the devil doesn’t deserve to be trusted by anyone, because he is a liar (Jo 8:44).

David prepared himself not to fear, even though he walked through the valley of the shadow of death (Ps. 23:4). Those that go through this valley will see that fear will try to take hold of them. The secret to never fall into this valley is to be always in the presence of God, where fire burns without stopping. The devil hates those who accept Jesus, but he is not allowed to touch the sons of God if they are inside the Almighty’s hiding place (Ps. 91:1).

The secret is to be prepared and not be hit by any evil arrow. This is not just a mental disposition, but a steady and complete trust in the Lord’s promises. Also, this is not a well-intentioned declaration – the devil does not respect good intentions – but a stable and positive determination about what the Lord says in His Word. Whoever is standing upon the Word of the Lord is full of His power.

When the Lord is on your side, you won’t just feel protected, but you’ll also be filled with the necessary power to destroy all the malign arrows sent your way. The disciples of Jesus are empowered to defeat the forces of evil; therefore, don’t question temptations that come your way, but obey what the Scriptures say. The Word that God sends you gives you the authority to operate what’s written in it.

The divine rod is the Word of God, and the Lord most high uses it to discipline those whom He accepts as His children. If you are not being corrected by the Lord, you are not His son, you are a bastard. When Christians act in a contrary way to the one they should, they feel the rod of the Lord correcting them, and when they confess their sins, they are back on track. Divine discipline takes us back to our faith and to the fear of the Lord, and it comforts us from our tribulations.

God’s staff will give you the support that you need, for with it, you can expel all the malign spirits that rise against you. Besides that, this staff will protect you in difficult moments. When this divine instrument is operating on your behalf, you will always be victorious. The Lord knows just how much you can take; therefore, never abandon His plan of love. This way there will be no more mourning, and a new day will rise (Ps. 30:5).

In Christ, with love,

R. R. Soares