Bible Reading: Psalm 23, 24, 25; Acts 21:21-40.
Memory Verse: “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.” Psalm 23:4 (KJV).
When God is with you, you have nothing to fear because He is greater than all the forces of the world. 1 John 4:4 (KJV) says, “Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.” So whatever challenges you may face at home, work, church or any other place is meant to prepare you for greater responsibility.
As long as you are a true child of God, He will be with you and will continually protect you from all forms of challenges. That does not mean that He will not chastise you when you are in error. In fact David said that clearly when he stated in Psalm 23:4 (KJV), “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.”
The rod is often used to correct the sheep and such correction could mean having some pains while going through some challenging times as a result of sins or errors. David was punished after committing adultery with Bath-Sheba, the wife of Uriah and then killed her husband ( 2 Samuel 11:2-17). His son – Amnon slept with his daughter- Tamar ( 2 Samuel 13:6-14 ), his son-Absalom killed another of David’s son-Amnon (2 Sam 13:28-29), then Absalom overthrew his father’s government, slept with his father’s concubines and was subsequently killed by his father’s soldier. (2Samuel 15-16).
These were punishment meted out to David by God, but he still watched over David because he was repentant of his sins and remained sincere in his service to God Almighty.
Have you sinned against God and you are going through chastisement, please remain faithful to God and show remorse to Him on the issue, then His promise to abide with you will remain constant. And you will have no cause to fear any evil.
Prayer point: Ask God for mercy in every area you have fallen short of his glory and renew your covenant to remain faithful to him.
Bro. Biodun Oyapero