Courage in the Unknown
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
CONNECTION
Situations that makes us want to run or to remain stunned.
TAKE HOME
The abiding presence of Yahweh as we navigate the dark, uncharted paths before us triggers in us a sense of courage, assuring us that evil will not ultimately prevail.
MESSAGE FOCUS
The basis for our courage in the stressful situations where we have to go through unchartered paths.
Scripture Introduction
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
When we understand Yahweh’s character and His promise to care for us, we can be confident that He will provide us with everything we need.
He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.
We experience peace in Yahweh’s care knowing when to move forward and when to pause.
He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
Yahweh mends our souls as He shepherds us along righteous paths.
A Stressful Situations
A Stressful Situations
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.
When we have to do this on our own, or we feel like we are on an island.
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.
Shutting off the light at night as a kid
The journey beside still waters was a path of righteousness.
The pause in the green pastures is a path of righteousness.
The valley is a righteous path
For this is where we have been led by our shepherd.
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.
Not a place to lie down (like green pastures) or to run through.
Only when we trust our shepherd can we walk through the valley.
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.
There is a destination. We are heading to the house of the LORD. You will come through the other side of the valley.
*APPLICATION
Those places where we don’t just feel like or imagine we cannot go on, but we really cannot go on as we have been. A. D. Westbrook
Valleys are a metaphor for (experience)
Bereavement
Grief
Depression
Disappointment
Pandemic
Trauma
Abuse
Stress
It could be (thoughts)
Judgments
No good outcome
“I’ll never get out of this”
Lack of a sense of direction
These valleys are real. But they are not impassable
Courage in the Stress
Courage in the Stress
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.
Yahweh is no longer leading ahead of us, but has moved next to us for this difficult part of the journey.
“It is one thing to be able to say that someone is with me but quite another thing to be able to turn toward that individual and address him personally by saying, ‘You are with me.’” -David Gibson
What we tend to fear (A. D. Westbrook)
Something that seeks our destruction (imagined or real)
Potential to make a wrong step (unclear or we did it before)
Prior trauma reoccurring
Abandonment
No future beyond the valley
R. Kent Hughs, “We tend to worry about more trouble than ever comes. As an old saying states, ‘We die a thousand deaths fearing one.’”
Having the hard conversation in my head
Fear might be a legitimate emotion to what we are facing, but I have a shepherd who will bring good out of anything.
We are not denying the possibility of harm, only its power of the evil to win.
2 Corinthians 4:16 “So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.”
Day by day
We do not need to “store up grace” for future emergencies
You are with me
We are not encouraged with, “You got this”. We are encouraged that God is with us and He can handle it. He might empower us to handle it, but that means it is through Him.
Exodus 3:11–12 “But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?” He said, “But I will be with you, and this shall be the sign for you, that I have sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain.””
Because of who the shepherd is
Leads
Knows the setting (wellbeing of the sheep is dependent on the shepherds knowledge of the pasture). Therefore, we should let Yahweh decide what we need, recognizing whatever it is, I will lack nothing.
Protects (wander & attack)
Aware of your difficulties. He encounters the problems first
No matter the circumstances, Yahweh is with you.
Knows (us)
Personal care
Provides
Yahweh is continuously tending to your needs.
Rest
Makes me lie down
Heals
Counselor
Rescues
When we stray
I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.
You are with me
Sliding our kids on smooth surface floors. Their grip did not provide the safety, it was mine (God’s hold on us)
*APPLICATION
God is with you through the messiness of life.
We shouldn’t allow our circumstances to influence our choices. Remember, Yahweh is your shepherded.
*Implementation
Nothing You Can Do About It and/or You Have Control
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
You Have Control
Focus on what you have and accomplish your task.
Focus- Like zooming in. Narrowing your field of view to what is possible instead of what we lack.
Benaiah, with only a staff and snatched the spear out of the Egyptian’s hand, 2 Sam 23:20-23
Make the best of our resources, however inadequate they may appear, Ps 23:1
The Aid of the Shepherd
The Aid of the Shepherd
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.
This person is not equipped to perform your surgery.
What he does is evident from what he holds.
The rod and staff signify action. We are not just talking about feeling Yahweh’s presence in the valleys of life.
Isaiah 42:3 “a bruised reed he will not break, and a faintly burning wick he will not quench; he will faithfully bring forth justice.”
This Psalm is His staff being used to redirect our thoughts, perceptions, and judgments.
Some of us want Jesus to protect us from our enemies with his rod, but we don’t want Jesus to protect us from ourselves with his staff. David Gibson
*APPLICATION
I can take comfort in stressful and debilitating situations, for Yahweh is with me to protect me from evil’s domination and to rescue me as I start to stray from His guidance.
*Reflection
Am I running from the valley I’m suppose to go through?
Am I avoiding Yahweh’s staff as He looks to steer me back on track?
Summary
The abiding presence of Yahweh as we navigate the dark, uncharted paths before us triggers in us a sense of courage, assuring us that evil will not ultimately prevail.
Reflection
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