The Walk-Through

A colleague of mine recently had a meeting in preparation for a media event. Much of the meeting time was spent on doing a "walk-through"-- a detailed discussion on what would be said, what ought not be said, who would do what, and how to keep the audience engaged throughout the event.

Have we devoted time, daily, to do a "walk-through" with God? What would it look like if, every day, we met with God for instructions on how to handle our lives? The good news is that we can meet with Him through reflection on His word. When we are immersed in the word of God we are taught what to say, how to pray, when to be still, and when to act.

Acquiring the habit of doing a God-directed "walk-through" will indeed equip us to walk through the highs and lows of life. Remember the middle of Psalm 23? "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." (Psalm 23:4) It is the leading, loving hand of God, embraced and engaged over time, that positions the psalmist to navigate through the dark days that confronted him. You and I can walk through dark days too, if we open ourselves to God's guidance.

Lord God, it is a joy and privilege to know You. Please instruct us, lead us, and guide us. Give us Your grace. Walk us through Your master plan, so that we can be ready to walk through all sorts of circumstances. We love You and thank You for preparing us for every event we face. In Jesus's name we pray, with thanksgiving. Amen. 

The Walk-Through

The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. (Psalm 23:1-4)

I  want Jesus to walk with me, all along my pilgrim journey;
In my trials, Lord, walk with me, when the shades of life are falling;
In my sorrows, Lord, walk with me, when my heart is almost breaking; 
In my troubles, Lord, walk with me, when my life becomes a burden;
I want Jesus to walk with me.
-"I Want Jesus To Walk With Me" (Author unknown)


Near the close of Sunday's sermon, Pastor Althea shared a video featuring the Negro spiritual "I Want Jesus to Walk With Me." In reflecting on the lyrics of the spiritual, I was reminded of a reference to the Christian walk shared by Bishop Robert Stearns. He used dance as an analogy of our walk with the Lord: "In this dance, the Bridegroom leads, and the bride obediently follows."

Do we understand that our walk with Jesus is evidenced by His leading us and our following Him? Psalm 23:4 informs us that this process of walking with Jesus even includes a "walk through the darkest valley"-- and we can indeed walk through it, unafraid, because our Lord walks with us.

In the video shown on Sunday we were told of the Fisk Jubilee Singers, who faced discrimination and danger as they toured the southeastern United States. There was deep injustice in those times. There is deep injustice in our times as well. Yet, in the face of injustice, Jesus presents His people an offer: "I want to walk with you. Will you agree to walk with Me?" Pastor Althea noted that our walk with Jesus causes us to experience shalom, the peace and justice of God, even in moments when we suffer.

Do you want Jesus to walk with you?

Lord Jesus, whether You lead us beside still waters, or whether You lead us through dark valleys, we will obediently follow You. We want You to walk with us!

All Scripture references are from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.®Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

"Read-Letter" Day.

[For those completing the book of Isaiah:

Morning reading: Isaiah chapters 37-46.

Midday Reading: Isaiah 47-56.

Evening Reading: Isaiah chapters 57-66.]

Final thoughts from last Sunday’s sermon:

v  God is in control.

v  We must lean on the Lord completely. There is no plan B, C, or D.

v  Psalm 23:5 testifies to God’s provision: not of subsistence, but of abundance.

v  We look away from idols; we look to our incomparable Christ.

v  God is eternal; God is Holy; God is unique.

Lord God, thank You for reminding us of Your amazing love and watch-care. We find our rest and our hope in You!

I Am One Happy Sheep.

[For those completing the book of Isaiah this week: Reading: Isaiah chapters 25-36]

You prepare a mesa – a table for me—

A plateau in the sight-line of my enemies.

The haters witness the blessing and seethe,

But their wicked hands

Cannot stop Your plans.

You anoint my whole head with oil,

Picking off the gnats and ants,

Clearing off the dry, caked soil

That once dirtied my face, my ears, my nose.

Your sovereign mighty hands

Provide so much more than mine can hold.

You pour Your grace; I’m held, secure,

Drenched in Your love from head to toes:

How my cup overflows!

(Paraphrase of Psalm 23:5; poetry mine)

In this past Sunday’s sermon, as Pastor Sam spoke on God’s compassionate care of His people, he referred to Psalm 23-- a passage in which we see God’s love in action.

What does our Lord do for us?

v  He provides for our needs.

v  He causes us to rest.

v  He feeds us.

v  He leads us.

v  He satisfies our thirsty souls.

v  He stands with us in our trials.

v  He comforts and corrects us.

v  He protects us from predators and enemies.

v  He blesses us beyond measure.

v  He shields us by the strength of His own character.

This is our Shepherd, our King, our God. As we go through our day today, let us praise Him for His watch-care over us.

Give thanks to the Lord our God! He is good! He has done great things!

I Am Close To His Heart!

[For those completing the book of Isaiah this week: Reading: Isaiah chapters 1 through 11]

As noted by pastor and author Phillip Keller, a huge challenge for our modern-day culture is understanding Biblical metaphors that relate to agriculture and animal husbandry. There are some people who have never even seen a sheep, let alone a shepherd, and they are therefore unable to appreciate the depth of the analogy found in Isaiah 40:11. In that passage, Isaiah speaks of the love and compassionate care of God in this way: "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."

In Sunday's sermon, Pastor Sam made a point that bears repeating: A shepherd is not a hireling. Shepherds do not 'clock in' and 'clock out' of work. They are fully devoted to the care of their sheep. We catch a glimpse of this devotion in the Christmas narrative: "And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night." (Luke 2:8) The shepherds didn't "go home", because their home was with their sheep. Their watch-care of their flocks was constant and consistent.

Take note: for a shepherd, it is never "the sheep"; it is "my sheep". And just as the shepherds of the Christmas narrative opted to live in the fields with their sheep, our God has opted to make His home in our hearts! Those of us who have asked Him to dwell in us can be fully assured of God's presence. God will never leave us alone. So, even in the face of exile and suffering, there is no need for us to be afraid. God is with us (see Deuteronomy 31:6).

Troubles come. Like the sheep in the fields, we may have proverbial gnats and flies and wolves and thieves seeking to harm us. But we take comfort, and we remain at peace, because our Shepherd is present to feed, guide, and protect us.

The LORD is my Shepherd! I have everything I need! (Psalm 23:1, paraphrase mine)