07262025 The Valley of the Shadow of Death

Dear Missionary Lady,

Greetings in the name of the God powerful enough to control life and death. David said, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil.” This was the phrase that perhaps most made me want to think about David’s life. When David said “the valley of the shadow of death,” I am convinced he is referring to very real threats of death. This was not merely an abstract possibility or irrational obsession for David; his life was filled with those kinds of threats. The power of this phrase is in the five words, “I will fear no evil.” That was David’s attitude toward his near-death experiences. No fear. The reason for that is found in the next phrase, “for thou art with me,” which is big enough on its own that I chose to study it separately, but it is the key behind the lack of fear.

There is no shortage of passages that refer to David’s life-threatening situations. A young David faced both lion and bear attacks (I Sam. 17:34-35). He faced Goliath in battle (I Sam 17:36-37,45). Twice Saul tried to throw a spear through him (I Sam. 18:11; 19:10). Saul charged all his servants with putting David to death (I Sam. 19:2). David repeatedly fought the Philistines and others in battle (I Sam. 19:8, for example). David escaped through a window when Saul would have killed him in the morning (I Sam. 19:12). Saul sent messengers to take David (I Sam. 19:20). Jonathan confirmed imminent danger after Saul’s angry threat (I Sam. 20:38). David feigned insanity to escape Gath (I Sam. 21:13-15). David hid in a cave because Saul sought his life (I Sam. 22:1,23). The citizens of Keilah were ready to betray him to Saul (I Sam. 23:13-14). David was surrounded by Saul’s army (I Sam. 23:27-28). Saul’s army had David trapped inside a cave (I Sam. 24:21). One of Goliath’s descendants had a hit planned on David (II Sam. 21:17). This is not even a complete list; David’s history was saturated with threats, battles, and revolts.

David’s consistent attitude toward these constant threats was that he did not fear. This is evident in the stories above, particularly in his comments before facing Goliath. Another great example is in I Sam. 26:6-21, when David took a companion and walked right into the heart of Saul’s camp. The Psalms express David’s determination not to fear. “I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set themselves against me round about” (Ps. 3:6). “In the LORD put I my trust: how say ye to my soul, Flee as a bird to your mountain?” (Ps. 11:1). “The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell. Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should arise against me, in this will I be confident” (Ps. 27:1-3).

I started to wonder if David was so trusting in God that he never even experienced fear, but I did finally find verses that spoke of his fear. “I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears” (Ps. 34:4). “What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee. In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me” (Ps. 56:3-4, also 11). It wasn’t that David never feared, but when he did, he turned to the God who was bigger than his enemies. David regularly prayed for God’s help when he faced threats of death. “O LORD my God, in thee do I put my trust: save me from all them that persecute me, and deliver me” (Ps. 7:1). “Have mercy upon me, O LORD; consider my trouble which I suffer of them that hate me, thou that liftest me up from the gates of death” (Ps. 9:13). Isn’t that a great statement?! He knew God was the one who controlled death. “The sorrows of death compassed me, and the floods of ungodly men made me afraid. The sorrows of hell compassed me about: the snares of death prevented me. In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears” (Ps. 18:4-6). “Hear my voice, O God, in my prayer: preserve my life from fear of the enemy” (Ps. 64:1).

As often as David prayed for God’s protection, he was able to give testimony that God did save him from death. Over and over again. “For thou hast girded me with strength unto the battle: thou hast subdued under me those that rose up against me. Thou hast also given me the necks of mine enemies; that I might destroy them that hate me. … He delivereth me from mine enemies: yea, thou liftest me up above those that rise up against me: thou hast delivered me from the violent man” (Ps. 18:39-40,48). “Blessed be the LORD: for he hath shewed me his marvelous kindness in a strong city” (Ps. 31:21). “O LORD, thou hast brought up my soul from the grave: thou hast kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit” (Ps. 30:3). David was well aware of Who kept him alive.

With his faith in God, David had great confidence instead of fear. “Let all mine enemies be ashamed and sore vexed: let them return and be ashamed suddenly” (Ps. 6:10). “For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, now will I arise, saith the LORD; I will set him in safety from him that puffeth at him” (Ps. 12:5). “O my God, I trust in thee: let me not be ashamed, let not mine enemies triumph over me. Yea, let none that wait on thee be ashamed: let them be ashamed which transgress without cause” (Ps. 25:2-3). “Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt revive me: thou shalt stretch forth thine hand against the wrath of mine enemies, and thy right hand shall save me” (Ps. 138:7). “David said moreover, The LORD that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine” (I Samuel 17:37).

The key to David’s confidence was his trust in God. “The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee” (Ps. 9:9-10). “Preserve me, O God: for in thee do I put my trust” (Ps. 16:1). “But I trusted in thee, O LORD: I said, Thou art my God. My times are in thy hand: deliver me from the hand of mine enemies, and from them that persecute me” (Ps. 31:14-15). “Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast” (Ps. 57:1). I love this final verse that sums up David’s philosophy of death: “He that is our God is the God of salvation [deliverance]; and unto GOD the Lord belong the issues [escapes] from death” (Ps. 68:20). No wonder he didn’t fear! He believed that God controlled death and was the master at thwarting it!

There is power behind David’s words. Who else could say them and have them mean so much? David did not issue a glib or naïve one-time statement about his lack of fear in facing death. No, his was a tried-and-true testimony, a statement of faith forged through repeated fires of adversity. He had no fear because God was with him. David knew that if his ever-present God wanted to defy the threat of death, He was well able to do so, and if God chose to allow death, that decision was in God’s hands alone.

Our own application tends to be more general toward difficult times in general, because we don’t face the constant threats of death like David did, and certainly that is appropriate. If God can handle near-death experiences, He can certainly handle everything else. David himself sets the valley of the shadow of death as the extreme parameter – even there. It’s not that the evil (bad, hurtful, harmful) doesn’t exist. It might even happen, but we don’t need to fear it, because God is with us. Whatever the outcome is, it will not overtake us without God’s oversight and control, or without His grace and comfort to help us through it. And often He will quench the threat and defeat the enemy, as He did for David. Either way, He is with us, and that means everything! May God’s presence protect you from whatever threats and troubles you are facing, and may He keep your soul trusting confidently in Him.

Love in Christ,

Peggy Holt

member at Open Door Baptist Church in Lebanon, PA

07192025 The Paths of Righteousness

Dear Missionary Lady,

Greetings in the name of the Great Guide. David expounds this truth about God for us, that “He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.”

While David was often guided in decisions (either directly by God or through prophets), I believe he is speaking here of a deeper guidance. This is not simply guidance about daily plans, but about guidance in an overall direction of life. This is about walking the straight and narrow way, living a life of integrity that is worthy of a follower of God. God gives this kind of guidance, because it matters to God how His children live. When they fail to walk uprightly, God’s name is tarnished, but when they do walk uprightly, God’s name is exalted. Nevertheless, God does guide His children while they are walking the paths of righteousness, meaning that He does guide them in daily plans and decisions as they walk the more fundamental path of integrity.

There is no doubt that God guided David in plans and decisions. Through the prophet Gad, God instructed David to leave the stronghold where he was staying (I Sam. 22:5). In response to a series of three prayers, God instructed David to attack the Philistines, to deliver Keilah, and that those of Keilah would betray him (I Sam. 23:2,4,12). Through dissension among the Philistines, God sent David out of a situation of conflict (I Sam. 29:3,6-7). After prayer, God instructed David to pursue his enemies (I Sam. 30:8). After prayer, God instructed David to return to Judah, specifically to Hebron (II Sam. 2:1). After prayer, God instructed David to fight the Philistines, and God even supplied the battle plan (II Sam. 5:19,23; I Chr. 14:10,14). After David shared with the prophet Nathan his desire to build a temple, God responded through Nathan that this was not a job for David (I Chr. 17:1-4). It is interesting to note that much of this circumstantial guidance was in direct response to David’s prayers. David wanted to know God’s desire, and he wanted to make choices directed by God. God honored David’s prayers and heart desire by responding with guidance when David prayed for it.

While the narrative passages focus on guidance in decision-making, the passages in the psalms overwhelmingly focus on guidance for living a life of integrity. David acknowledges that God is able to give this guidance because of who God is. God will guide in the paths of righteousness because God Himself is committed to righteousness. “For thou hast maintained my right and my cause; thou satest in the throne judging right” (Ps. 9:4). God will guide in the paths of righteousness for His own name’s sake. “For thou art my rock and my fortress; therefore for thy name’s sake lead me, and guide me” (Ps. 31:3). God can guide in the paths of righteousness because He know everything about where His children are. “Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways” (Ps. 139:3).

This knowledge of God’s character leads logically to confidence that God will lead in the paths of righteousness. David had no doubt about this. He was fully assured that God would lead him in the path of life. “Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fullness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore” (Ps. 16:11). David knew that his path was not random, but was carefully overseen by God. “The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way” (Ps. 37:23). David even had a direct promise from God that He would lead him in the right and appropriate path. “I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye” (Ps. 32:8).

Even with his confidence in God’s guidance, David fervently prayed for God’s leading. The narrative passages repeatedly related David’s prayers for daily guidance in decisions, but David was just as careful (if not more so) to pray for guidance in living in the way of righteousness. “Hold up my doings in thy paths, that my footsteps slip not” (Ps. 17:5). “For thou hast delivered my soul from death: wilt not thou deliver my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of the living?” (Ps. 56:13). He equates God’s way with walking in His truth and fearing God. “Teach me thy way, O LORD; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name” (Ps. 86:11). He asked God to teach him these ways of truth; in spite of the great amount of truth that David already knew, he still recognized his remaining ignorance. “Shew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths. Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day. What man is he that feareth the LORD? Him shall He teach in the way that he shall choose” (Ps. 25:4-5,12). It was God who must give this critical teaching. “Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto thee” (Ps. 143:8).

One reason David needed God to lead him in the ways of righteousness was because of the enemies he faced. This probably involved the temptation to fall under the pressure and also the required maturity to live under the challenges. “Lead me, O LORD, in thy righteousness because of mine enemies; make thy way straight before my face” (Ps. 5:8). David also needed God’s guidance because of his own sinfulness, which he asked God to reveal to him so that he could walk properly in the paths of righteousness. “And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting” (Ps. 139:24). He particularly asked for help regarding his speech, his heart desires, and his attraction to a life of pleasure. “Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips. Incline not my heart to any evil thing, to practise wicked works with men that work iniquity: and let me not eat of their dainties” (Ps. 141:3-4).

In the end (and along the way), David was able to give testimony to the fact that God had led him in the right paths. “My foot standeth in an even place: in the congregations will I bless the LORD” (Ps. 26:12). God deserved all the credit for David’s firm footing. “He maketh my feet like hinds’ feet, and setteth me upon my high places” (Ps. 18:33). “Thou hast enlarged my steps under me, that my feet did not slip” (Ps. 18:36). “And hast not shut me up into the hand of the enemy: thou hast set my feet in a large room” (Ps. 31:8). The narrative passages also confirm that God helped David in his path. “And the LORD preserved David whithersoever he went” (II Sam 8:14). “And moreover in time past, even when Saul was king, thou wast he that leddest out and broughtest in Israel: and the LORD thy God said unto thee, Thou shalt feed my people Israel, and thou shalt be ruler over my people Israel” (I Chr. 11:2).

Before he died, David was compelled to admonish the next generation regarding the importance of walking in the paths of righteousness. He instructed Solomon and other leaders. “Then shalt thou prosper, if thou takest heed to fulfill the statutes and judgments which the LORD charged Moses with concerning Israel: be strong, and of a good courage; dread not, nor be dismayed. … Now set your heart and your soul to seek the LORD your God; arise therefore, and build ye the sanctuary of the LORD God, to bring the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and the holy vessels of God, into the house that is to be built to the name of the LORD” (I Chr. 22:13,19).

Walking uprightly and with integrity in the paths of righteousness was extremely important to David, both in daily decisions and in the broader spectrum of a godly lifestyle. His frequent and fervent prayers evidence how much he needed God’s guidance. He knew his righteous God was able to guide him; he both anticipated such guidance and gave testimony to it.

What an example for us to seek God diligently so that we can live in a manner worthy of our righteous God! May God guide you in the decisions of life, and may He also guide you in a constantly more faithful walk with Him.

Love in Christ,

Peggy Holt

member at Open Door Baptist Church in Lebanon, PA

07122025 He Restores My Soul

Dear Missionary Lady,

Greetings in the name of the God who fully cares for us. Today’s phrase from Psalm 23 is “He restores my soul.” This phrase is one of the most meaningful to me, because my soul needs are my deepest needs. They are also the needs that are most obviously the ones that only God can meet. David is no longer speaking figuratively, like in the previous word pictures. This phrase is literal truth; when David’s soul is weak or broken, God restores it to its healed and healthy condition.

David speaks often of God as a general source of strength. Without giving particular applications, he earnestly expresses his belief that God is the one who keeps his soul. God is the one who provides the internal strength to continue day after day. God gives bones and structure to the jellyfish of the soul. “Truly my soul waiteth upon God: from him cometh my salvation” (Ps. 62:1). “Behold, God is mine helper: the Lord is with them that uphold my soul” (Ps. 54:4). “Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved” (Ps. 55:22). One response to seeing God as the strength of my soul is to wait on Him, looking to Him and casting my cares on Him, expecting Him to hold me up and keep me firm.

This dependence is not passive. If someone truly believes that his soul’s strength comes from God, he will call out to God and ask Him to keep his soul strong. “From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I” (Ps. 61:2). “Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us” (Ps. 62:8). “O God, thou art my God; early will I thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is” (Ps. 63:1). When someone has believed so earnestly that God is the strength of his soul, and when he has fervently called out for God to strengthen his soul, he will find (as David did) that God answers. “In the day when I cried thou answeredst me, and strengthenedst me with strength in my soul” (Ps. 138:3).

David shares three specific scenarios in which God restores the soul. The first of these is after sin. David knew the burden of sin and the tremendous toll on the body and soul. One specific instance was his adultery with Bathsheba. “And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the LORD. And Nathan said unto David, The LORD also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die” (II Sam. 12:13). God healed David’s soul and restored their fellowship. In Psalm 51, David describes the awful burden of his sin, and he cries out to God for restoration. “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit” (Ps. 51:10,12). Whether of the same sin or something different, David cried out similarly to God in other passages. “For thy name’s sake, O LORD, pardon mine iniquity; for it is great. The troubles of my heart are enlarged: O bring thou me out of my distresses. Look upon mine affliction and my pain; and forgive all my sins” (Ps. 25:11,17-18). “I said, LORD, be merciful unto me: heal my soul; for I have sinned against thee” (Ps. 41:4).

There was one other significant instance when David needed restoring after sin, and that was when he numbered the people against God’s command. “So the LORD sent pestilence upon Israel: and there fell of Israel seventy thousand men. Then David and the elders of Israel, who were covered in sackcloth, fell upon their faces. And David said unto God, Is it not I that commanded the people to be numbered? even I it is that have sinned and done evil indeed. And David built there an altar unto the LORD, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings, and called upon the LORD; and he answered him from heaven by fire upon the altar of burnt offering. And the LORD commanded the angel; and he put up his sword again into the sheath thereof. At that time when David saw that the LORD had answered him in the threshingfloor of Ornan the Jebusite, then he sacrificed there” (I Chr. 21:14, 16-17, 26-28; also II Sam. 24). Again, God restored David’s soul.

David gave testimony to the great blessing of restoration after confession of sin. “For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning” (Ps. 30:5). “As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us” (Ps. 103:12). These are two beautiful pictures of what comes after restoration: the exuberant morning rejoicing after the dark night, and the knowledge that the sins are forever removed.

The second scenario David shares is restoration of the soul after a time of sorrow. Sorrow over some loss in the life can break down the spirit, but God has a way of healing and restoring. A loving God is near to those whose spirits are crushed. “The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit” (Ps. 34:18). God can reverse the sorrow, lifting a believer back to a joyous condition that he may not have thought to be possible ever again. “Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness” (Ps. 30:11). This restoration is a testimony to the goodness of God. “And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD” (Ps. 40:3).

The third scenario David shares is God’s restoration of the soul during times of distress. David faced many of those in his life, and a good number of those distresses came from Saul’s relentless pursuit. Sometimes God uses a human instrument to impart His strengthening of the soul. “And Jonathan Saul’s son arose, and went to David into the wood, and strengthened his hand in God” (I Sam. 23:16).

God can also restore the soul when no one around seems to care. “When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then thou knewest my path. In the way wherein I walked have they privily laid a snare for me. I looked on my right hand and beheld, but there was no man that would know me: refuge failed me; no man cared for my soul” (Ps. 142:3-4). In these lonely times of sorrow, God is well aware of the situation, and He cares deeply.

God sometimes helps us to encourage ourselves, as we look to Him for our soul strength. David experienced this after the city of Ziklag was attacked, with the families and goods carried away. “And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God” (I Sam. 30:6). Whatever the method, the credit for the restoration belongs to God.

Sometimes the healing will be longer in coming, but David counted on his gracious God to be the healer of his soul. “Have mercy upon me, O LORD, for I am weak: O LORD, heal me; for my bones are vexed. My soul is also sore vexed: but thou, O LORD, how long? Return, O LORD, deliver my soul: oh save me for thy mercies’ sake. Depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity; for the LORD hath heard the voice of my weeping” (Ps. 6:2-4,8).

David shares general testimony that God did respond by restoring his troubled soul. “I will be glad and rejoice in thy mercy: for thou hast considered my trouble; thou hast known my soul in adversities” (Ps. 31:7). “For great is thy mercy toward me: and thou hast delivered my soul from the lowest hell” (Ps. 86:13). David also is so assured of the soul-restoring actions of God that he encourages others to seek God’s healing and strengthening as well. “Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD” (Ps. 27:14). “Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD” (Ps. 31:24).

The health of the soul belongs to God. He always knows and always cares about the soul’s weaknesses. Whether from sin, from sorrow, or from distress, God is able to restore, heal, and strengthen. He can do that with or without the help of others. While He may delay, He will lovingly and graciously respond to the hurting hearts of those who seek Him.

If your soul is weak or hurting, I pray that God would look on you with compassion and give your soul the strength and healing it needs. Restoration is possible with God!

Love in Christ,

Peggy Holt

member at Open Door Baptist Church in Lebanon, PA

07052025 He Leads Me Beside Quiet Waters

Dear Missionary Lady,

Greetings in the name of our gentle and compassionate God who lovingly provides us with relief on our journey.  The next phrase in Psalm 23 is “He leadeth me beside the still waters.” This one was also personal for David.

If the sheep are walking beside still (quiet, peaceful) waters, then it is not a place of treacherous terrain. It would seem then to be a relaxed and manageable part of the journey, a place of beauty and refreshment, of pleasure and relief, of retreat and reprieve.

It is a level path, simple for the sheep to follow as they walk after the Shepherd. “Teach me thy way, O LORD, and lead me in a plain [level] path, because of mine enemies” (Ps. 27:11). “Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness” (Ps. 143:10). God knows just what the threats are and just what path we need. He is able to gently and clearly guide us in that good way.

It is a place of peace, without fears or drama. “The LORD will give strength unto his people; the LORD will bless his people with peace” (Ps. 29:11). “Surely I have behaved and quieted myself, as a child that is weaned of his mother: my soul is even as a weaned child” (Ps. 131:2). This is a place where we can rest quietly in the care of our God, peacefully leaning on Him and enjoying His blessings.

It is a calm and placid place where danger does not threaten. “Thou shalt hide them in the secret of thy presence from the pride of man: thou shalt keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues” (Ps. 31:20). “For He hath delivered me out of all trouble: and mine eye hath seen his desire upon mine enemies” (Ps. 54:7). “Let the wicked fall into their own nets, whilst that I withal escape” (Ps. 141:10). Whether a high mountain pasture beside a peaceful lake, or a lush valley next to a meandering stream, the calm waters mark a place where for now the enemy is not threatening and life is quiet and without stress.

My question is when David ever experienced this in his life. He was a man of war who spent years on the run and more years in constant battles. Where were the peaceful and relaxed retreats? Perhaps he was remembering the years in his father’s household, when he sat on a hillside tending the sheep (I Sam. 16:11). It could have been his time of favor in Saul’s palace (I Sam. 16:22-23; 18:1-5). It could have been the brief respite at the beginning of his marriage to Michal, before Saul began his active pursuit (I Sam. 18:27-30). It could have been after each of the occasions when Saul relented for a time and agreed to leave David in peace (I Sam. 19:6-7; 24:17-22; 26:25) or when God providentially provided a reprieve (I Sam. 23:27-29). David spent a year and four months in Ziklag, during which Saul left him alone (I Sam. 27:4-7). David may have remembered when he became established in Hebron after the death of Saul and he was anointed king of Judah (II Sam. 2:1-4), or again when Israel united to make him king over all the tribes (II Sam. 5:3-4), or when he was restored to his rightful place after the rebellion of Absalom (II Sam. 19:8-40).

It amazes me to realize that there are so many instances when God provided David with these peaceful interludes. I think of David as constantly facing conflict, and that is a good summary of his life in general, but it was not every moment of his life. David’s kind Shepherd graciously interspersed the conflicts with moments of peace. Some of these lasted just a few days or weeks, but they were welcome and refreshing pauses in the midst of the drama and conflict. Almost certainly there were other times that the Bible does not record. I think sometimes the quiet waters were found at unexpected times and in unexpected places, temporary refreshment on otherwise difficult paths.

What a blessing to walk beside the quiet waters, enjoying the peaceful interludes. As we are relaxed from the threat of dangers, we can simply relish the peace and joy of our walk with the Shepherd. Life is not always this way, but our loving God graciously provides us with these times of reprieve. Upon reflection, we might discover that they are more numerous than we realized. Certainly, they sometimes come when we least expect them - mercies from God when we need them most, even as trouble and conflict swirls around us.

I’m praying today that if you are especially in need of time beside the quiet waters, that God would gently lead you and give you a refreshing time of reprieve. Otherwise, I hope you will rejoice in remembering the many times that God has done this for you. He is our good and loving Shepherd.

Love in Christ,

Peggy Holt

member at Open Door Baptist Church in Lebanon, PA