Fear No Evil

God has been so faithfully putting people into my lives who, as they "walk through the valley of the shadow of death" they TRULY fear no evil. They battle discouragement, frustration, resentment...and in today's times where the economy is upside down, people are losing their jobs, houses are worth less than what they were paid for, money is tight...fear is rampant, it is so awesome to have these people in my life as an example of what it means to, in the face of a valley that seems to go on and on and on, they are holding on.

I think immediately of my friends the Chenaults, who, within two years, have moved something like 5 times and faced several potential job losses, as well as job loss. In the midst of this, they held on to God faithfully and faithfully God brought them through and back to the place they began. Maybe with a little less money, but with a whole wealth of integrity, dignity, and my respect.

I just received another note from friends in CA. My friends husband has been out of work for months. Wednesday, he finally had a telephone interview and was told that he might here back within 1-2 weeks. Thursday he received a call requesting a person to person interview. Today, he goes in for that interview. We don't know what will come out of it, but faithfully they have trusted God and faithfully God has guided them through this.

All this to say, I am in a valley of my own. Literally, here in the Valley of the Sun. Spiritually. Emotionally. I have some pratcial frustrations that we are dealing with in our family. But when I read letters from friends such as those mentioned above, it is a reminder that I [we] have a choice when we "walk though the valley of the shadow of death" The bible says we are to "FEAR NO EVIL, for YOU [GOD] are with me, HIS rod and staf they comfort me." The beauty is that at the end of the Psalms, God lays out a table in the presence of the enemy and goodness and mercy follow ALL the days of my life.

Fearing no evil is not a suggestion, but it is a choice. God's people are to FEAR NO EVIL.

Awesome.