YOU ARE WITH ME

Scriptures: (Psalm 23:4) Yea, 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
(Isaiah 43.2) When you pass through the waters, I WILL be with you; and through the rivers they shall not overflow you, when you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flames scorch you.

There comes a time in the believer’s life where when faced with various trials you will either BELIEVE that Christ is with you or HE is not with you. The WORD of GOD is a comfort to all who believe in it. I have learned in my Christian walk that my trials are designed to break me, to change me and conform me to the image of Jesus Christ. (Romans 8: 28-29) They are never designed to destroy me but they are designed to destroy things like -- my thoughts, my habits and the attitudes that I allow to dominate me, to rule me or to control me.  How could David write Psalm 23:4 unless he first experienced the comfort of knowing GOD was with him. He was a shepherd by trade and yet he learned privately the protection of GOD when caring for mere sheep. Just imagine David learned what it was like to trust GOD.  He said that no matter what, he knew that GOD was with HIM. He had His protection every step of the way. This GOD that David could personally call LORD and his SHEPHERD. The GOD who knew how to give him rest when he needed it.  When he was appointed by GOD to be the King of Israel, he was able to demonstrate a King’s leadership from what he had learned in the field caring for mere sheep.  If GOD could trust him in the field, then this same GOD could trust him being King.
Isaiah a Prophet called by Jehovah GOD to instruct and tell HIS people Israel thus SAYS the LORD. Here you have a man that in spite of the people, was willing to go and be obedient to the calling that GOD had placed on his life. Two ordinary men mentioned in the Old Testament who acknowledged weakness, fears and failures in there owns lives, but was willing to serve their Extraordinary Living Jehovah God.

Jesus our Savior and LORD proclaimed that in HIM we may have Peace. In the world you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer. I have overcome the world.

Our LORD’s statement is one that holds a golden nugget, it can only be embraced by the believer.  He said in ME you may have PEACE… In the book of John, (John 14:27) He said “Peace I leave with you; My Peace I give to you; not as the world give do I give to you. Let not you heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid”.

Before HIS Gethsemane experience Jesus was teaching his Disciples a great truth. He was their Peace no matter what the world was about to offer them in the form of a test, trial or tribulation. He was and will always be their Peace. Believer when facing a trial do you first call out to Jesus for His Promise of Peace, or do you try to run or attempt to handle the trial in your own strength?

Prayer: Jesus my King of Glory I acknowledge that I don’t always trust You with all my heart. I can and will sometimes lean to my own understanding regarding a trial. No matter what YOU still reign over me, the world and all that is in it. Thank You for Your chastening love that is meant for me to trust You more.

(by Debbie Meadows)