SCRIPTURES: Psalm 23:4 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. Ezekiel 48:35“…The name of the city from that day shall be, The LORD is There.”
THOUGHT: Psalm 23:4c reads: “…Thou art with me…” Notice that “God is There“, even when you are in very trying or difficult times, such as “the valley of the shadow of death”. The passage in Ezekiel speaks of Jehovah-Shammah as the name of God given to Jerusalem at a time that it was in ruins, meaning that “God Is There“, in the ruins and even symbolizing a coming restoration – because God is there. No matter what you have done, or what has been done to you, just remember that God is there. He has not abandoned you and He still has purpose and plans for you. You may not feel His presence, either because of your own behavior or because of the pain of someone else’s behavior. However, God is there and was there. God is there with you in the pain, the hurt, the injustice and the trauma!
Jesus Himself suffered intolerable pain and trauma while He took your sins to the Cross. He is God, but He knows suffering. He knows suffering so that He really understand when you pray to Him. Jesus said that He would always be with you, right up to the end (Matthew 28:20).
PRAYER: Dear Jesus: Thank You for taking my sins to the cross and saving me from eternal punishment and death. I thank You that You are here with me no matter what I have been through. Please forgive my sins even as I now forgive and release those who have hurt me. I am Yours and I need Your presence in my life that I may live like You. Help me now! Thank You.
Dear Heavenly Father: I thank You that even when I thought I was alone, I have found that You have never left me. You have been here with me all along. Thank You for the eternal plans You have for me. Thank You for forgiving my sins against You and others. Cleanse me from the hurt and pains I have experienced in the past. Strengthen me and lead me that I may live for You for the rest of my life. In Jesus’ Name, AMEN!
