The Lord Is My Shepherd

9/25/20

Dear World,

I wish I could put down on paper the words to exactly explain the battle I’ve been facing lately. I think I felt one coming but I wasn’t sure what it would bring and what would be in store and I definitely didn’t know my lesson that I’m learning would be in the form of the enemy’s attack on my soul. 

Myrtle 2020 was fun and enjoyable. One of the messages that was brought forth was a challenge to the young people about choosing the right path that they would take when it comes to their spiritual journey. I also had heard some testimonies about how some of the young people had felt like they were just about to give up their relationship with the Lord and how God had helped them. So in my mind at the end of the meeting was, “I’ve never really felt like I’ve wanted to give up my relationship with God.” Don’t get me wrong, that is a good thing. But I also felt like there and then I realized that maybe I had some lessons to learn to get to a place where my relationship with Jesus meant much more to me. It’s easy to take salvation for granted when you have been brought up in truth. 

Skip down to this most recent Monday, September the twenty first. I had a great morning and I woke up rejoicing and praising the Lord. And it was that evening that the devil started bothering me and making me question and doubt things that I’ve been taught my whole life. He also made me doubt things in my own life. I cried and prayed and honestly... just froze up. It seemed like I would feel better and get help and then the devil would come right back again to throw a punch. Guys, this has lasted since Monday and I’m still battling the devil today. But through it all, I’m learning  lessons and learning to trust God more. There’s a lot of things that I could tell about how the Lord is helping me throughout this battle but one sweet reminder stuck in my mind that Jesus gave me and I’m going to share that with you and rebuke the devil with this post. 

John 10:10-12,14 

[10] The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. [11] I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. [12] But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. [14] I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.

Isn’t that beautiful? The imagery of Jesus being my shepherd and holding me as a little lamb makes me want to bawl my eyes out. It brings a warmth inside me and peace that no one can give except Jesus. 

I may feel like I’m lost and maybe even the wolf is moving in and trying to get me, Jesus has his eye watching me and won’t allow the devil to take me. I’m going to be honest, the last few days I’ve felt like a little sheep scared out of its mind and have felt pretty lonely. I felt like the Lord wasn’t really there to defend me. But it’s now I realize that just because it felt like I was alone, doesn’t mean I am alone. And it’s in his power that I am able to resist the devil and be strong. 

Now that I’ve asked him to help me fight. I’m in his arms. Are there fears? Yes. Is the battle over? No. Am I stronger? Yes. 

Indeed I am. 

But one thing I know. Jesus is able to help me because He himself had been tempted. Here’s another passage that helped immensely last night. 

Hebrews 2:16-18 KJV

[16] For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham. 

[17] Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. 

[18] For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.

Jesus chose to not be angelic on this earth. He chose to be a human. Why? Love. Imagine knowing what heaven is and first, choosing to leave heaven to go down to a sinful world. Secondly, choosing to not be like an angel but to be a human. A human that was tempted just like we are. And he chose to deal with being tempted by the enemy, being rejected by the very ones who he thought supported him, being beaten and bruised and nailed on the cross... for what? You. Me. 

So that he could understand what it felt like to be human so that He could succor (relieve or to help) us in the battles of this world and from the devil. Thank you, Jesus. I could never praise you enough. But I’ll do my best ♥️

You are my savior and my shepherd. I will forever rest in your loving arms. 

Pray for me as continue to serve the Lord. 

Natalie