Episode 565

TODAY’S EPISODE
Even 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.
Psalm 23:4

I think that those two words are probably the most powerful parts of this first because it shows that we will walk through the valley of the shadow of death. So even though I walk through, which is a reminder for you and I that we will have seasons a life that we will walk through the valley of the shadow of death. But this verse says, even though that happens, so even though we have to walk through hard seasons, I will fear no evil for you are with me. Guys, our encouragement for today is very simple. And I know it’s easier said than done. And I know it because it is something that I have seen play on not only in my life but in the lives of those that I love most. My best friend is going through a hard season; she has been going through a hard season of singleness. But beyond that, she’s going through a hard season in her career. Last week she was laid off; she was affected by the tech world, and one of her or the company that she worked for had some venture capitalists investing into the company, and cubed two came to a close and so they had to let go of many people she was not the only person affected, and her job was
no longer needed, I guess, and so they made that budget cut, and she was left without a job. And we cried together last week, and it was emotional because at the same time, she had devastating news about a relationship she was pursuing, and so it felt like nothing was working for her. But can I tell you that even though she’s walking through this hard season, I have this overwhelming piece that she doesn’t have to fear evil because even though it seems like all of these bad things are happening to her, it’s just the devil tempting her. In reality, it’s just God removing that she did not need and making room for that that he has planned for her. So maybe you are my friend who’s going through the worst season of your life. Maybe you also have been affected by recent layoffs, layoffs. Maybe you’ve been affected in a relationship matter. Maybe you’re still looking for your spouse. Maybe you’re being affected financially. I don’t know what your story looks like. Because the reality is that I don’t know you. But God knows you. And that the best part is that he knows you, and even though you walk through these valleys and through the seasons, you don’t have to fear evil because he is with you. He is walking with you. He is talking to you, guiding you, giving you strength, giving you hope; he is that helper. So he knows the plans that He has for you, and it is our job to trust him and the seasons. So wherever you are today, let us turn our trust to him.

Prayer:
Father God, thank You, Lord. Thank You that even in the roughest seasons and that even though we walk through these valleys and through these tough times, God, you are with us. You are making a way for that that you have planned for us. You are just eliminating What does not serve us, and you are presenting us with something better, and so we trust you in these moments. Even when it all feels so scary. We will not fear we thank you. We love you. We pray this all in your son’s holy name today, and every day we ask that you bless this Friday, bless this weekend and that we will continue to pray on our own time and then once again as a community on Monday. It is in your holy name that we pray. Amen.