The LORD Our Companion

The LORD Our Companion, June 20
Author: Charles H. Spurgeon From the book: Faith's Checkbook

"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

Sweet are these words in describing a deathbed assurance. How many have repeated them in their last hours with intense delight!

But the verse is equally applicable to agonies of spirit in the midst of life. Some of us, like Paul, die daily through a tendency to gloom of soul. Bunyan puts the Valley of the Shadow of Death far earlier in the pilgrimage than the river which rolls at the foot of the celestial hills. We have some of us traversed the dark and dreadful defile of "the shadow of death" several times, and we can bear witness that the LORD alone enabled us to bear up amid its wild thought, its mysterious horrors, its terrible depressions. The LORD has sustained us and kept us above all real fear of evil, even when our spirit has been overwhelmed. We have been pressed and oppressed, but yet we have lived, for we have felt the presence of the Great Shepherd and have been confident that His crook would prevent the foe from giving us any deadly wound.

Should the present time be one darkened by the raven wings of a great sorrow, let us glorify God by a peaceful trust in Him.

-----

I should really put to thought and heart this verse more often. When life is crazy and things are beating me down, I need to remember to fear nothing and know that the Lord is with me. Let this be of encouragment to you today and everyday. Knowing that as God's elect, He is in control, He will get us through some of the most desolate places in the world and of our life. No matter what you're going through, He will comfort you. Read the beatitudes. I have been on a quest of memorizing these for a few months now. Matthew 5:6 "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied." We who thirst and long for the Lord, He will fill our cup and satisfy us, so why should we fear? He will comfort us. He is our sustainance and helper. Agape.