Ever found yourself in an emotional, physical, and spiritual construction zone? The ground is shaking, your world is in turmoil…debris is flying. Welcome to the VALLEY OF THE SHADOW OF DEATH. Welcome to life on this earth.
These are the times when the enemy works to harden our hearts in unbelief. These are the times when we must guard our minds with the helmet of our salvation (a “hard hat”). We must keep our hearts soft, and our minds firmly on Him.
David, in Psalm 23, acknowledges walking in this valley. Not only has his soul been restored by the Lord, he is lacking nothing. “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me…” A heart without fear is soft with the love of the Good Shepherd, a heart desiring the comfort of the Shepherd’s rod and staff.
In the presence of his enemies, David finds himself at a table prepared just for him, anointed to overflowing, dwelling in the house of the Lord forever. In those times of being in scary, uncertain places, the helmet of the Lord’s salvation keeps us centered and secured in our dwelling with Him. It is a soft heart that allows us to soak in and overflow in the goodness of our God.
And I can’t help but wonder how that changes the lives of our “enemies.” “It is the goodness of God that leads us, and those around us to repentance” ( Romans 2:4).
What a testimony we can have walking through this life with a soft heart and a “hard hat.”
– Susan Kewin
Christ Fellowship