We have clearly entered the time of the end. That much should be obvious. The great storm is under way and will only intensify in the coming months and years. Last night, I watched a video (linked below) published by Jonathan Cahn and if you are unaware of the things he has spoken of before then I suggest you have a look at previous messages he has published concerning the books he has written. Anyway, here is the link to his most recent message:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L9hd9AIgmL4
As usual for external web pages, I list both a URL-linked title and the URL itself for convenience, which you can simply copy and paste, in case you have disabled links (which can be a wise choice in many situations these days).
This morning, the Lord directed me to read Psalm 23. I generally do not know what the contents of these scripture references are because I do not have much of a capacity to memorise scripture labels -- rather I simply learn what is written there. As always, it turned out to be scripture of great encouragement and value, especially as we now proceed to walk through the "valley of the shadow of death", and here is that psalm...
Psa 23 A Psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. (2) He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. (3) He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. (4) 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. (5) You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. (6) Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
Note in verse four the phrase, "... your rod and your staff, they comfort me." The rod refers to the Lord's leadership, for He is the Great King, our eternal shepherd, and His rule and direction ensure our safety when we abide in Him. His staff is His provision for us, for all of our needs, physical and spiritual. In recent times He has been reminding me to keep my focus upon Him, just as Peter did when walking on the water, for it was only when Peter's focus was distracted by the wild weather (yes, a storm) that his gaze turned away from the Lord, who is the answer to all our prayers, and Peter looked upon the chaos all around him, thus inducing fear, causing his faith to falter and he began to sink. We must keep the Lord at the forefront of our thoughts in all that we think, say and do. However, the Lord also showed us that, should we find ourselves sinking, we should immediately call upon Him, not waiting a moment longer. The Lord has also consistently referred me back to His teachings admonishing us to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and then all these "other things" will be added unto us, that is, all our needs will be met, rather than wasting our time and consuming ourselves in the pursuit of those other things which we need, for our Father in heaven knows exactly what we need before we even ask.
The psalm shows us that the Lord is our source of peace and tranquility, of certainty, of comfort, of protection, of guidance and of salvation and we need seek nothing else but Him.
So, read that psalm again, read it tonight before you fall asleep and again in the morning when you awaken, for it is a psalm of great comfort to us now, as we enter the valley of the shadow of death.
