Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – October 28, 2015
Even 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
Fear engages an ongoing assault on our heart and mind. If left unchecked, fear can whip our imagination into a frenzy of anxiety. Though only an ounce of what we fear may come to pass, we tend to give it a ton of attention. It is madness when we are overcome by fear. It may be the fear of death that dilutes our faith. It may be the fear of failure that drives us to control. It may be the fear of losing a job that becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. But we are not alone in our fears.
Jesus walks with us through our valleys. He may not deliver us out of the valley, but He most assuredly does not abandon us there. He walks with us through the valley of doubt. He walks with us through the valley of shame. He walks with us through the valley of transition. He walks with us through the valley of disease. He walks with us through the valley of the shadow of death. A shadow assumes a light, so Christ is there to guide us. Trust overcomes fear.
“Blessed is the man who makes the Lord his trust, who does not look to the proud” (Psalms 40:4).
Pain can create insecurity and confusion. But no amount of pain can separate us from the love of God. Pain may smother our soul, but we do not give up on God. We immerse ourselves in the Psalms where David sometimes drowns in doubt, but by faith wisely lifts his soul to the Lord. No one suffers well alone. It is with the Almighty and the prayers of others we make it through.
So go to Christ for comfort. He draws us close with His rod and His staff. He heals our crushed heart with His caring touch. When we stray as lost sheep He doesn’t give up on us, rather He goes after us. Indeed love is not passive. It initiates contact, comfort and connection. Love helps us make sense out of a senseless situation. The Holy Spirit can bring clarity to our confusion. So, we saturate our soul with truth that flushes out our fears. Trust in the Lord overcomes fear!
“Where is your faith?” he asked his disciples. In fear and amazement they asked one another, “Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him” (Luke 8:25).
Prayer: Heavenly Father, teach me to fear only You and no one or nothing else.
Application: What fear do I need to replace with trust in the Lord? How do faith and obedience relate?
Related Readings: Isaiah 51:3; John 12:42, 20:19-21; 2 Corinthians 1:3; Hebrews 2:14-15
Post/Tweet this today: Jesus may not deliver us out of the valley, but He most assuredly does not abandon us there. #trustovercomesfear #WisdomHunters
Worship Resource: 4 minute video- Mumford & Sons: I Will Wait
Check out Boyd’s most popular book a 365 day devotional Seeking Daily the Heart of God. Order today!
If you are blessed by these daily devotionals please prayerfully consider a donation to support Wisdom Hunters Resources. We are trusting the Lord for His provision. Learn how to help.
Our free Apple app Our free Android app
© 2015 by Boyd Bailey. All rights reserved.
Comments are closed.
did you watch the Mumford & sons music you recommended?
Dear Kenneth,
Thank you for letting us know about the video. I just tried to watch it and realized that the wrong video was added to “Trust Overcomes Fear”. We are so thankful for your “heads up” and will notify the folks that need to change that. We appreciate you taking the time to contact us. Our fellow Wisdom Hunters are the BEST!
We hope that you are being blessed by the daily devotionals. If there is ever anything we can do for you, please let us know.
Blessings to you and yours.
Gwynne
“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Hebrews 12:2