Alone

Yet I am always with You; You hold me by my right hand. Psalm 73:23

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I’ve come to realize something.

We are all alone.

Yes, we might have a spouse or children if we’re adults.

We have parents, friends, maybe even a best friend.

But ultimately, we are alone.

We stand all by ourselves.

Our spouse might have other loyalties.

Our children grow up and move away.

Our friends choose others with whom to spend their time.

Our parents love us but have their own lives.

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Ultimately we are alone.

Someday, we will stand alone before God.

Giving account for our life.

On that day, Jesus will step in for us.

He will show payment for our sins.

He will if we trust in Him.

If we trust in Him for our very salvation.

He will step in for us on judgement day, but He has already stepped into your life.

He has already joined you here in this life.

Here.

So you’re not alone.

Psalm 73:23-26 says Yet I am always with You; You hold me by my right hand.

Jesus is always with us.

He holds us by our right hands.

Psalm 23:4 reminds us 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.

Walking through dark times, or even daily life, we do not fear.

We do not feel lonely.

Why?

Because God, Jesus, is with us.

With us.

While you feel alone,  you are not.

You might feel lonely, but you are not.

Feelings are not accurate.

Facts are.

And the facts are this:  God is always with you; you are never alone.

Remind yourself that God, who created ALL things, is with you.

He cares.

He knows.

He loves you.

You.

And that, my friend, is why you are never truly alone.

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Photos by Thomas Q, Gabriel Garcia MarengoRodion Kutsaev, & Ben White on Unsplash

Ups and Downs

He changes times and seasons; He removes kings and sets up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding. Daniel 2:21

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Life is full of seasons.

Well, yes, seasons, but those are akin to the phases of life.

I’m speaking of ups and downs.

Highs and lows.

The rain and the desert.

Hills and valleys.

There are times in our life when we know what we are doing and times when we don’t.

Times when it’s easy to trust God and times when it takes everything we have.

And sometimes we fail.

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The 23rd Psalm speaks to these phases beautifully.

Up on the mountain God leads us to rest, fills our souls and guides us down His godly path.

When life takes us into a valley, He never leaves our side.

In fact, there is nothing to fear.

The absence of fear.

So much so that He leads us out of the valley back up the mountain to safely dine in the presence of our enemies.

And Goodness and mercy follow.

In the highs of life, God walks with us, guiding us to Himself.

In the lows of life, He never leaves our side, leading us to redemption.

The Lord is My Shepherd.

Is He yours?

Psalm 23:6

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Psalm 23:6

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Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,

When I follow Your lead,

When I want nothing, because You provide all things,

Goodness and mercy will be with me every single day.

Your favor will be with me when I choose to have You on the throne of my heart.

When I move over and submit to Your ways, the mercy of God will stay with me all my days.

God’s mercy and favor in my life will follow me when I let the Lord, who is my Shepherd, lead me all the days of my life.

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And I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Eternity with God.

When we put our trust in our Shepherd to lead us through life, He will lead us through it all: every hill AND valley.

But we never need to fear, because He provides all we need.

He prepares our souls for trials, walking with us through to the other side.

His protection extends to defending us in front of our enemies.

Forever dwelling with Him.

I want nothing less.

How about you?

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My Shepherd Celebrates Me

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. Psalm 23:5

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You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;

What?

I am safe with my enemies?

Not only that, but I am feasting in front of them?

You defend me and have the final say.

You right every wrong.

Enemies cannot stand in the way of Your goodness and mercy.

Satan cannot foil Your plans.

Lord, let my enemies see Your goodness before it is too late.

Before they are only allowed to watch us feast, not entering in.

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You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

You cover me with every good thing.

Nothing is too precious to spare.

Even Your Son’s life for my salvation.

My cup runs over with Your blessings.

The abundance is almost more than I can take.

To think I am in Your thoughts.

You lead me to sweet spots of safety, down the path of righteousness.

You restore my soul and keep me safe in the valley.

There is no fear as my soul rests in You.

Your plans for me far outweigh my human thoughts.

I am humbly blessed.

My Shepherd Leads Me

He restores my soul; He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. Psalm 23:3

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He restores my soul.

Wow.

My soul is completely brought back to life.

Made new.

Fully brought back.

After my Shepherd leads me into everything I need, He also restores my soul.

I am refreshed from the inside out.

He fully equips me for my mission on earth.

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He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.

His choice for me is righteous.

His plans for me are good.

Even though I do not know where He will lead me, I know I can trust Him.

He has been faithful to fulfill my needs and will continue to do so wherever we are.

He leads me to accomplish godly matters in His name.

We are necessary to show others the goodness of God.

My Shepherd leads me into goodness, restores my very soul, leaving me to want nothing.

Only when we take His hand.

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My Shepherd’s Care of Me

He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. Psalm 23:2

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He makes me lie down in green pastures.

My Shepherd, who guides me, tells me what to do.

I must listen and obey.

And look where He guides me?

To relax in a sweet safe spot, where there is plenty.

Notice He’s not telling you to lie down in a smelly dump.

He’s instructing you to relax in a peaceful paradise.

Some of us don’t like to be told what to do.

Especially by an authority figure.

But if we trust God, our Shepherd who is leading us, we must listen.

We must listen and submit to Him, because He is God.

He knows the beginning from the end.

He loves us so much and wants to lead us into everlasting life.

So obey, we must.

He leads me beside still waters.

Allow Him to lead you.

Remember, when He is your Shepherd, you do not want.

You do not want anything else, because He has provided for you.

He brings you to green pastures and still water.

Peace and calm.

Will it always be like this on our journey in this life?

No, not even close.

But before we get to a valley, He fills us up with strength for the journey.

He prepares us, because He knows all things.

God began filling me up years before my divorce.

My desire for devotions and prayer became a flame that sustained me during the valley.

When God is leading you beside green pastures and still water, simply enjoy.

He might be filling you up for a valley or to minister to someone else.

Or maybe it’s just time for a rest.

Enjoy, my friend.

Photos by Daniel Seßler & Martin Sanchez on Unsplash

My Shepherd

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. Psalm 23:1

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 The Lord is my shepherd.

My leader.

My protector.

My defender.

My guide.

The Lord, who created me and all living things, helps me along life’s path.

I can rest, knowing He is guiding me if I put my trust into His capable hands.

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 I shall not want.

When I trust my Shepherd, all of my needs are provided.

All physical, emotional, and spiritual needs are kept within His strength.

I lack nothing. Absolutely nothing.

It’s when I begin to focus on myself or the world that I suddenly become unhappy.

Thoughts pop into my head that breed discontent.

But when I focus on my Savior, I shall not want.

The perfect Provider has anticipated my every need.

And it’s set before me, sooner then my very need arises.

It’s hard to shove the thoughts from your head which bring mistrust.

Lay everything at His feet.

And trust He’ll help you with anything and everything.

Victory is His and He will not fail you.

Because our Lord is our shepherd, we shall not want for anything.

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