Seems the last few days the Lord has me encouraging you to stand strong during the storms. Some of you must be battered and weary or could it be that the Lord is giving us advanced warning of something that is coming so we can take shelter and remain safe?
A couple weeks ago a dear friend of ours died. He and his wife had provided worship music for us when we started Christian Cowboys Association. We met them one night after a “Cowboy Cathedral”, our Friday night cowboy church service, in Scottsdale. It was right about the time of our first year birthday. We found out they sang cowboy gospel music and so we invited them to join us for that celebration and asked them to do some music. That was it! God put us together and for the several years Don and Ann were at every cowboy campmeeting, rodeo service and most of the Cowboy Cathedrals. We were together several times a week – what a sweet couple and wonderful fellowship.
When I became pregnant with our youngest daughter we asked Don and Ann to take the ministry and continue the outreach to working cowboys and the kids in the youth rodeos. They did. And they continued to share God’s love with those special people for many more years.
I tell you that as background for what I’m about to say.
This morning I woke with the words of a song filling my heart and my head. It was one of the songs that I had heard Don and Ann sing at nearly every Cowboy Service. Their harmonizing was what I heard and as I sit here quietly, if I close my eyes I can see them singing and hear their voices. Ann playing stand up bass and Don playing guitar. I knew I had to share the words with you.
I feel the touch of hands so kind and gentle,
They’re leading me in paths that I must trod;
I have no fear when Jesus walks beside me,
For I’m sheltered in the arms of God.
So let the storms rage high, the dark clouds rise,
They won’t worry me for I’m sheltered safe within the arms of God;
He walks with me and naught of Earth can harm me,
Sheltered safe within the arms of God.
Soon I shall hear the call from Heaven’s portals,
Come home my child, it’s the last mile you must trod;
I’ll fall asleep and wake in God’s new Heaven,
Sheltered safe within the arms of God.
So let the storms rage high, the dark clouds rise,
They won’t worry me for I’m sheltered safe within the arms of God;
He walks with me and naught of Earth can harm me,
Sheltered safe within the arms of God.
Sheltered safe within the arms of God! lyrics by Dottie Rambo
I’ve been silently singing along and I thought of Psalm 23 and the particular phrase “though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will not fear for You are with me”. Shadows can be scary. If you don’t think so try walking through a dark alley or a cemetery at night. Your mind will play all sorts of tricks on you and you end up seeing so many things that aren’t real, they are just shadows.
The image I used this morning is a picture that was taken in Death Valley. It’s a hot and desolate place. You can see for miles and there is nothing but more desert, more emptiness. To be lost out there is almost certain death, hence the name. Almost nothing grows there and in the summer time it’s as hot as an oven. There in the shadow of its rocky crags you are in the “valley of the shadow of death”.
But…
We’re not alone! We are sheltered safe within the arms of our loving God and heavenly Father.
“The Lord is my Shepherd. I will have everything I need. 2 He lets me rest in fields of green grass. He leads me beside the quiet waters. 3 He makes me strong again. He leads me in the way of living right with Himself which brings honor to His name. 4 Yes, even if I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will not be afraid of anything, because You are with me. You have a walking stick with which to guide and one with which to help. These comfort me. 5 You are making a table of food ready for me in front of those who hate me. You have poured oil on my head. I have everything I need. 6 For sure, You will give me goodness and loving-kindness all the days of my life. Then I will live with You in Your house forever.” Psalm 23 NLV
Fear of the unknown – fear of the storms – fear of failure – fear of being alone – fear of financial ruin – fear of divorce – fear of death…all of these and more can be devastating. They are daunting shadows, they are the “what if’s” of life. But remember, we are not alone; do not fear!
“Do not fear, for I am with you. Do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will give you strength, and for sure I will help you. Yes, I will hold you up with My right hand that is right and good.” Isaiah 41:10 NLV
“God has said, “I will never leave you or let you be alone.” 6 So we can say for sure, ‘The Lord is my Helper. I am not afraid of anything man can do to me.’” Hebrews 13:5b,6 NLV
Fear not!