Tag: Joshua 1

Through the Valley

Of all the headlines I’ve read related to COVID-19 in the last week, one stood out most: “The loneliness of death in the time of coronavirus.” The story described the agonizing final days of an elderly man’s life. Because he was infected with coronavirus, his daughter was barred from being by his side in the hospital. She lamented, “I couldn’t hold his hand when he took his last breath…I feel like he was alone.” The sense of anguish and lack of hope is heartbreaking.

The mood of that article stands in sharp contrast to what I studied in Psalm 23:4 this week: “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.” (NKJV) This familiar verse reminds us we’re never alone—even when people we love can’t be there. Walking with the Lord means His presence protects and comforts us even as death looms near.

The rapid spread of cornonavirus has forced us to confront the reality that life is finite and we are not in control. However, the threat of death may not be your primary concern right now. Other fears could be lurking in your mind that seem more urgent. Are you worried about a vulnerable family member getting infected, losing your job, or laying off employees? Maybe you’re fretting over missing milestones like trips, graduations, births, or weddings. Perhaps the downward slide of the stock market is keeping you awake at night envisioning your retirement account shrinking. Or maybe you’re feeling anxious about being stuck in a pattern of social distancing with no end in sight. The angst related to the pandemic leaves no one untouched. 

While some of our concerns don’t seem like outright fear, Jennifer Rothschild explains, “Fear shows up in ways we don’t realize. Being overly controlling is fear in disguise. Anger is often fear in disguise. Isolating yourself is fear in disguise. Anxiety and worry are fear in disguise.” (p. 118) She also reminds us, however, that “we can’t always change the valley we’re in, but we can always change our attitudes, actions, and choices in that valley. When we walk through our valleys with our Shepherd, He uses the valleys to change us, to grow us, and to take us to a new and better place. God can use our temporary valleys to create everlasting good for and in us.” (p.116)

As we walk through valleys, our hearts soften to God’s transformative work when we claim His truth. Rothschild explains, “fear focuses on the shadows. Faith focuses on the Shepherd.” (p. 120) To put that idea into practice, I took a variety of verses about fear and personalized them:

God is with me wherever I go. When I am afraid, I will trust in him. I will remember He has called me by name and I am His. He did not give me a spirit of fear but of power, love, and self-discipline. He will strengthen me and uphold me with His righteous right hand. He will answer me when I seek Him and deliver me from all my fears. I will let God’s perfect love drive out my fear. (Compiled from Joshua 1:9, Psalm 56:3-4, Isaiah 43:1, 2 Timothy 1:7, Isaiah 41:10, Psalm 34:4, 1 John 4:18)

Here’s the truth: “God gets personal when the valley gets dark.” (p. 124) As COVID-19 disrupts our normal routines and forces us to confront our fears, we have an opportunity to depend on God like never before. Being confined to home means many of our normal distractions have been removed. With our newfound free time, we may choose to numb ourselves by anesthetizing in front of screens, busying ourselves with household projects, or indulging in our favorite comfort foods. But we also have an amazing opportunity to draw near to the Lord without being in a rush. The pause button has been pushed on the whole world simultaneously. This means we have more opportunities to read, study, think, and pray. “Stillness increases our awareness of His presence…Ask the Lord to help you be still, to listen, and to quiet your heart.” (p. 126) Maybe it’s time to dust off that Bible study book you never finished or to start writing prayers in the journal that’s been sitting on your desk untouched. Go outside and admire the first blooms of spring or listen to music that draws your heart to Jesus. Perhaps God will reveal Himself as your awareness of Him grows in this season of stillness.

If you’re like me, you’re trying to make the most of this time and feeling impatient that there isn’t more you can do.  You’re ready for God to speak but haven’t sensed Him saying anything specific. Feeling restless, you’re craving productivity and purpose. Maybe you’re trying hard to force meaningful family time or searching tirelessly for moments of revelation and insight. Remember, “God is with you in your valley…don’t press to find the grand lesson or insight if one is not clear. Just rest in your Shepherd. Let Him carry you through. Receive His comfort and care.” (p. 126) Stop trying so hard and just be with Him. (I need to look in a mirror as I say that).

Remember that the Shepherd is with you in this challenging season. Don’t let fear consume you. Find your rest and refuge in Him. Take one day at a time rather than projecting into the future. Trust Him and let Him comfort and lead you. Help others to find hope and comfort by encouraging them to draw near to the Shepherd too. 

“Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.’” (Psalm 91:1-2, NIV)

The song “Fear No More” by Building 429 seems especially relevant in light of the coronavirus pandemic. Listen now and make it your proclamation against fear.

Jennifer Rothschild, Psalm 23: The Shepherd with Me, Lifeway Press, 2018, Week 4.

Julia Prodis Sulek, “The loneliness of death in the time of coronavirus”, East Bay Times, March 20, 2020, page 1.

A Good Guide

Speeding through the roundabout, traffic laws seemed to be mere suggestions to the tiny cars zipping by us. As pedestrians newly arrived in Rome, we approached intersections with apprehension, not entirely confident that cars would stop when we crossed. Nearing our destination, I walked in silence, my anxiety mounting with each step. Somehow, the bike tour I’d booked for our family didn’t seem like such a good idea anymore.

Moments later we met our guide, Marco, a native Roman who loved his city and relished showing it off to tourists. As we climbed onto our bikes, he assured us that he knew all the safest routes to navigate us through the historic neighborhoods. Soon we were rolling over ancient streets that felt more like quaint alleys. And anytime we did cross a busy road, Marco got off his bike and held up an authoritative hand to stop traffic for us. Within minutes, we began to relax and enjoy the sites. Guided by Marco, we tasted Rome’s best gelato, got insider scoop on good places to eat, and heard fascinating stories about numerous landmarks. The tour far exceeded our expectations and ended up being one of the highlights of our time in the Eternal City. Never once had we felt unsafe under Marco’s watchful guidance. At the end, he invited us to give him a good review online so others could experience what we had. Marco had been an excellent guide not just for our good, but for the sake of his business. It was a win-win for us and for him.

I thought of that afternoon ride in Rome as I studied another verse from Psalm 23: “He guides me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.” (Psalm 23:3, NASB) Even better than our attentive bike tour guide, the Lord is the ultimate guide for our lives.  Jennifer Rothschild explains, “What God does, He does for His name’s sake. His actions are for His praise. The beautiful benefit, though, is that what brings Him glory brings us good.” (p. 104)

Maybe you’re wondering how to access the Lord’s guidance in your life. Not surprisingly, the answers can be found in Scripture.  It all starts with our attitudes. God guides those who want to follow His lead, not those who tell Him how they want things done: “He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way. All the ways of the Lord are loving and faithful toward those who keep the demands of his covenant.” (Psalm 25:9-10, NIV) Letting our Shepherd lead us requires the humility to acknowledge that His ways are best. This is reiterated throughout Scripture, as we see here: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil.” (Proverbs 3:5-7, NIV) Trusting the Lord’s wisdom shows humility and leads to right living.

Another way to follow God as our guide is to study the Bible and apply what we learn. Jennifer Rothschild puts it simply, “Stay in his Word, and you will stay in His will.” (p. 100) The Old Testament advice of Joshua still applies today, “Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it.” (Joshua 1:8a, NIV) Knowing Scripture helps us to align with God’s ways and equips us to follow Him. As we do this, we can say with confidence, “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” (Psalm 119:105, NIV)

In conjunction with His Word, God uses the Holy Spirit to guide us. Jesus explained this in one of His last teachings to the disciples before being crucified, “I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you. All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will receive from me what he will make known to you.” (John 16:12-14, NIV)

Anyone who accepts Jesus as Savior receives the Holy Spirit as a constant guide: “And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.” (Ephesians 1;13-14, NIV) 

While the Spirit is there to guide us, we must be willing to listen to His prompting. This happens more consistently when we incorporate regular time to be still before the Lord, to pray, and to seek Him. When we fill our days until they’re overflowing and rush through life asking God to bless what we’re doing, this doesn’t lend itself to sensing the quiet and gentle nudges of the Holy Spirit.

Personally, I recognize the Spirit’s prompting when I’m focused on Him and free of distractions. Often, it’s in the morning during my quiet time when I read something in Scripture that speaks to me in a specific way. The Spirit also gets my attention during worship services at church, when I’m outside enjoying His creation, and when I’m listening to music that honors Him. The more I place myself in a mindset to hear from the Lord, the more sensitive I become to His voice and prompting. 

As I write this, Marco’s fabulous bike tours in historic Rome are suspended indefinitely. We are in an unprecedented season as COVID-19 continues to spread and life as usual has come to a halt. The Wall Street Journal sums it up: “In a matter of days, the coronavirus pandemic has reshaped American society, unmooring people from the routines and activities that typically provide comfort in moments of crisis: work, worship, concerts, sports, gatherings with family and friends, the embrace of loved ones.” But in this chaotic time, let’s not forget God’s sovereignty. None of this is a surprise to Him. As we encounter life disrupted, let’s be expectant that the Lord is using this season for our good and His glory. As distractions are eliminated, we have the opportunity to hear God more clearly. Will you join me in praying for His guidance? Let’s ask how He wants believers to respond to this worldwide disruption. Perhaps He’s drawing us into a closer relationship with Him and guiding us to share His love, hope, and comfort with others during this unusual time.

Listen to Rend Collective’s “Your Name is Power” with the coronavirus pandemic in mind. Let it give you hope, encouragement, and inspiration. Then share that hope with someone else who needs it.

Photo credit: Fat Tire Tours, Rome

Jennifer Rothschild, Psalm 23: The Shepherd with Me, Lifeway Press, 2018, Week 3.

Rebecca Davis O’Brien and Valerie Bauerlein, “How Coronavirus Remade American Life in One Weekend”, The Wall Street Journal online, March 15, 2020.