Moreover, when I walk the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil for You are with me. Your scepter and sustenance they comfort me. Psalms 23:4 (translation: mine)
At some point we will face this ‘valley’. Some sooner than others. As the ‘forces’ and princes of this earth fight for dominance and shake their fists at God, human life is of no value to them. Add the fallen (fallen angels) to the mix and their blood lust, there will be huge swaths of death rolling like waves across the planet. The question is always .. when? But that isn’t and shouldn’t be your concern. Today is your concern … why? Jesus said… “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” Matthew 6:34
Are you ready to face ‘that valley’ today? No? What if it comes tomorrow, will you be ready then? Do you have any idea how fragile life is? How fragile your own life is? At no fault of your own? Even if you’ve done everything right to be healthy? It seems perfectly healthy people are dropping like flies lately. Maybe because of just one small wrong decision? One small detour on their path of life? So what is one to do?
Make your path and destination secure. Then the distance, time, or dangers won’t matter. You are ready to step into eternity at any moment. Then if that’s the case what is it that we should be doing then?
For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; Philippians 1:21-22
What is the fruit exactly that you will be producing? IF you are allowing the Holy Spirit to guide your path the fruit will be self control over every reaction, gentleness towards all, faithfulness to His leading, goodness pouring out to others, kindness offered to the offenders, long suffering in every situation, deep abiding joy from knowing you are His, and His love permeating every part of your life to all those around you. Producing that kind of fruit will have an effect on everyone you come into contact with.
Tall order you say? Yes, yes it is. But then if you try to do it in your power you will fail, massively and completely … fail, big time. Why? Because it takes Another’s strength and power to produce these fruit THROUGH you. They come from a Source that is unstoppable and unmovable. They come from the ONLY Source that is .. totally pure. (Galatians 5:22-23) If He doesn’t indwell you now, or you put Him aside in your life — it’s time to get acquainted or reacquainted with the Holy Spirit and ask Him again to ‘take the wheel’ of your life.
Why would I write this today? Because I get the sense that many will have much fewer days ahead of them than they expect, and they will be caught not being prepared to step into their eternity. As the world becomes a much more dangerous and dark place… allow the light that He placed into you .. to shine out into the darkness, for whatever time you have left. Be certain of you destination and look forward to it with anticipation all the while being faithful to Him TODAY.