Welcome to another day the Lord has made that we should rejoice and be glad in. (Psalms 118:24)

This week’s focus is in response to mountains of despair that seem to surround us at times. Sickness, unemployment, unfavorable reports, financial challenges, etc. test our faith and drain our strength. My assignment from the Lord with the help of the Holy Spirit is to encourage us this week.

Today, our encouragement begins with the reminder that we’re never alone.

Today’s scripture, Psalm 23:4 (KJV), testifies…
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.

Consider…
One of my best friend’s, Gregory, family is going through one of the most heartbreaking times right now. It’s a dreaded experience that many of us have experienced. The time when the doctors say there’s no more they can do and it’s time to say goodbyes.

My initial thought is to remind my brother that as Psalmist Maurette Brown Clark sings, ‘it ain’t over until God says it’s over’. While my intention is to resurrect hope from a diagnosis of hopelessness, it doesn’t change the valley of sadness this family, that is so very dear to me, is walking through.

So, instead I am writing this encouragement that the Holy Spirit gave me this morning. The message is, “you are not alone.”

There’s a hymn I recall from my youth, it’s title is simply ‘Never Alone’. The third verse says…

When in affliction’s valley,
I’m treading the road of care,
My Savior helps me to carry
My cross when heavy to bear;
My feet entangled with briars,
Ready to cast me down;
My Savior whispered His promise,
Never to leave me alone.

And the refrain says…
No, never alone,
No, never alone,
He promised never to leave me,
Never to leave me alone;
No, never alone,
No, never alone,
He promised never to leave me,
Never to leave me alone.

In today’s scripture, David testifies that even though he’s walking through the valley of the SHADOW of death, he’s not worried because the Good Sheppard is with him.

Allow me to unearth encouragement nuggets from today’s familiar verse.

The first is that we walk THROUGH valleys. This makes me hear Reverend Timothy Wright singing…

I’m so glad troubles don’t last always.
I’m so glad troubles don’t last always.

May not come when you want Him,
but He’s on time (on time).

In times of trouble, I find Him to be
a friend of mine (of mine).

When storm clouds rise in your life,
He’ll be there (be there)

All your burdens,
I know the Lord will bear (bear)

Weeping may endure for a night,
keep the faith it will be alright.

Weeping may endure for a night,
keep the faith it will be alright, right.

Troubles don’t last always.
No, no, no, no, it won’t last always.

The Holy Spirit is emphasizing that walking through means we’re not the meant to stay in the valley forever, it’s simply a pathway to what God has next for us.

Thus in the midst of our valleys we should remember 2 Corinthians 4:17 NLT
which testifies…
For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever!

So, encouragement nugget number one is simply to know that valleys are places/seasons we walk through.

The second encouragement nugget is that shadows mean light is near by. Notice David said he was walking through the valley of the SHADOW of death.

The Holy Spirit is telling us that no matter how dark it may seem, it’s just a distraction to the light shining on us. The light never moves, circumstances and situations just shift around it, like the earth orbits the sun. John 8:12 (NLT) testifies…
Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.”

Notice Jesus said we will have the light. That means, whenever we feel overwhelmed by darkness we simply need to engage the light of Christ within us.

This is also a reminder to not fear shadows you’re going through because you always have the light of Jesus with you.

David must have understood this, which is why he said…
I will fear no evil: for thou art with me;

Which brings me to encouragement nugget number three which is don’t fear the worst, believe the best. And to be clear, I am saying Jesus is the best! Regardless of what God allows, He personally provides everything we need to endure and make it through. In fact it’s so personal, that He’s right there with you. Nothing I or anyone else can say or do will come close to knowing Jesus is with you.

When you feel most vulnerable and alone, remember Psalms 139:7-10 (NLT), which testifies…
I can never escape from your Spirit! I can never get away from your presence! If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I go down to the grave, you are there. If I ride the wings of the morning, if I dwell by the farthest oceans, even there your hand will guide me, and your strength will support me.

This reemphasizes that you should fear nothing because God is always with you!

The fourth and final encouragement nugget is that he gives you everything you need to be encouraged. David said…
Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

It strikes me that David didn’t say the Good Sheppard’s rod and staff protects him, but instead he used the word COMFORT.

Oxford Languages defines comfort as a state of physical ease and freedom from pain or constraint and the easing or alleviation of a person’s feelings of grief or distress.

This makes me hear the hymn lyrics…

Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!
that calls me from a world of care,
and bids me at my Father’s throne
make all my wants and wishes known.
In seasons of distress and grief,
my soul has often found relief,
and oft escaped the tempter’s snare
by thy return, sweet hour of prayer!

Perhaps the the Bible is God’s rod and prayer is His staff to help us in our momentary journies through the valley of despair and grief. For example, Philippians 4:6‭-‬7 (NLT) encourages us…
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

This lets us know we should look for and find comfort in God’s word and through prayer.

The Holy Spirit is telling me to leave you with lyrics from Michael Jackson, which say…

Just the other night
I thought I heard you cry
Asking me to come
And hold you in my arms
I can hear your prayers
Your burdens I will bear
But first I need your hand
Then forever can begin

Everyday I sit and ask myself
How did love slip away?
Something whispers in my ear and says

That you are not alone
I am here with you
Though you’re far away
I am here to stay
But you are not alone
I am here with you
Though we’re far apart
You’re always in my heart
But you are not alone

No matter what you’re going through, always know that Jesus says you are not alone.

So if you’re feeling hopeless or full of despair, just remember God’s word and go to Him in prayer. And if you struggle with the words to pray, just tell Jesus ‘I need You now’.

Today’s song is…
I Need You Now

Blessings 4HG (1 Corinthians 10:31)