Psalm 23:4 “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.” David wrote from his experience, giving us insight into the way a shepherd looked after his sheep. He cared for their every need. In this verse, he is talking about the yearly trip to higher ground to find new pasture for the flock. They would pass through rough places, face dangers, but the shepherd was watching over them every step of the way. His rod and staff would…
Psalm 84:6 “Who passing through the valley of Baca make it a well; the rain also filleth the pools.” I remember years ago, while traveling in the country, seeing a pipe sticking out of the bank beside the road. Often, there would be a sign saying, “Spring Water.” There is nothing as refreshing as water from a bubbling spring. Someone discovered this one and made it available to thirsty travelers. This Psalm was a poem set to music that the Jewish families would sing as they made their way to Jerusalem to celebrate the feasts and special days. It was a long journey with dangers along the way. The road was rough and rugged, with no places offering food and beverages or shelter. So, I can picture someone finding a pool of water to quench their thirst. In consideration of those following behind them, they cleared away the debris and built a stone wall around it, so that it would be a blessing to others. I love the way The Message version interprets this passage: “And how blessed all those in whom you live, whose lives become roads you travel; They wind through lonesome valleys, come upon brooks, discover cool springs…
“And Isaac’s servants digged in the valley, and found there a well of springing water.” Genesis 26:19 Every time I read this scripture about a well of springing water, I remember weeding the strawberry patch with my brother on a hot summer day. On the edge of the field, there was a spring. How refreshing it was to lay down our hoes, relax by the spring, and enjoy a drink of cold water. The water was always flowing, clear and cool, no matter how hot the day was. All we had to do was partake of it. Because of a famine in the land, God told Isaac to go dwell in the land of the Philistines. Water was especially important to him because of his great flocks and herds. The Philistines envied him and filled up all the wells that His father Abraham had dug. Isaac had his servants re-dig these wells. Each time the enemy claimed the wells for their own and Isaac moved on. Finally, they dug another well which they were able to keep, and Isaac called it Rehoboth, saying: “For now the LORD hath made room for us, and we shall be fruitful in the land.” …
In the second year of King Saul’s reign, 1 Samuel 13:5 states, “the Philistines gathered themselves together to fight with Israel.” The Philistines outnumbered Israel; they had 30000 chariots, 6000 horsemen, and a multitude gathered together on the shoreline. Israel had 3,000 men—in the beginning. However, the Israelites were so scared, they hid behind rocks, thickets, and some fled to Jordan. Their numbers almost vanished, in a moment, because of fear. The 600 men who remained with King Saul and Jonathan were trembling; definitely not the mighty men one would hope for to fight for your freedom. God’s posture for…
Matthew 13:3-8 (NKJV): The Parable of the Sower “Then He spoke many things to them in parables, saying: ‘Behold, a sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seed fell by the wayside; and the birds came and devoured them. Some fell on stony places, where they did not have much earth; and they immediately sprang up because they had no depth of earth. But when the sun was up they were scorched, and because they had no root they withered away. And some fell among thorns, and the thorns sprang up and choked them. But others fell on good ground and yielded a crop: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.” The Condition of the Soil and the Seed This familiar parable holds deep and life-changing spiritual truths. Jesus compares the Word of God to seed sown on different types of soil: the wayside, rocky, thorny, and good soil. The seed represents God’s Word, while the soil symbolizes the condition of the human heart. Just as seed cannot grow without good soil, God’s Word will not grow and produce fruit in an unprepared heart. Spiritual growth can be hindered or choked out by distractions. The phrase “Bloom…
Throughout history, names have held significant meaning. Shakespeare said, “What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.” Anne Shirley famously disagrees with Shakespeare, saying, “I read in a book once that a rose by any other name would smell as sweet, but I’ve never been able to believe it. I don’t believe a rose would be as nice if it were called a thistle or a skunk cabbage.” I would have to agree with Anne of Green Gables. I don’t know how many of us would go out of our way to visit a skunk cabbage garden. It doesn’t sound as nice, even if it smelled divine. The Power Behind A Name In the Bible, a person’s name was profoundly significant. A name could reflect their character, prophetic destiny, or the emotional well-being of the parent at the time of birth. My name, Angela, means angelic messenger, and I like to think that my life reflects that calling. When my husband and I were expecting our daughter, we were drawn to the name Jael. She was a fearless heroine who killed Israel’s enemy Sisera (Judges 4). But, then we looked…