Reflections on the Road Week Four

Reflections on the Road

Week Four

"God is with us."

Focus Passage: Psalm 23

Focus Verse: Psalm 23:1

Bible Reading: Matthew chapters 22-28

   The early American Indians had a unique practice of training young braves. On the night of a boy's thirteenth birthday, after learning hunting, scouting, and fishing skills, he was put to one final test. He was placed in a dense forest to spend the entire night alone. Until then, he had never been away from the security of the family and the tribe. But on this night, he was blindfolded and taken several miles away. When he took off the blindfold, he was in the middle of a thick woods and he was terrified! Every time a twig snapped, he visualized a wild animal ready to pounce. After what seemed like an eternity, dawn broke and the first rays of sunlight entered the interior of the forest. Looking around, the boy saw flowers, trees, and the outline of the path. Then, to his utter astonishment, he beheld the figure of a man standing just a few feet away, armed with a bow and arrow. It was his father. He had been there all night long. 

      The boy was in a seemingly dangerous situation thinking that he was all alone but his father was there the whole time.  The same spiritual truth applies to us as Christians.  There are times when we feel alone and scared but Jesus is always there for us.  He hasn't left us or abandoned us, though it might feel like it at times.  Our verse is Psalm 23:1, "The Lord is my shepherd."  If God is our shepherd then that means we are sheep.  Sheep are weak and defenseless creatures.  There is nothing scary or frightening about sheep.  They are defenseless, so they need someone to protect them in the face of countless dangers.  In turn we need someone to defend us, someone to protect us against the enumerable spiritual dangers (and physical dangers at times). We are unable to protect ourselves because we are weak and frail.  We need someone strong to be our protection.  God is our protector, He is our shield, He is a strong tower, and enables us with the strength to battle each day with His aid.  2nd Thessalonians says "But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one."  He is our Good Shepherd, He is our protector.  Trust in His protection.  Lean on His everlasting arms.

Reflections on the Road:

Think of a time in the past when God protected you from some danger (physical or spiritual).  Write down that time and place it somewhere you can look at easily (wallet, purse, fridge, on the night stand).  When you feel frightened or scared, when you doubt if God is with you, go to that sheet and remember what God has done for you.  Remember He does not fail you.