“Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me.”-Psalm 23
It’s 12:45am and I was suddenly awaken from my sleep. I walked out of the bedroom to get a glass of water and started taking deep breathes. My anxiety and stress were starting to increase. I cried out to the Lord, “Please take this away from me.” My flesh is tempted to numb the pain. I cry again, “Lord, forgive me for even thinking of this. Help me, Oh, Lord.” The enemy starts whispering lies in my head and I tremble at the thought that Leah’s death is a punishment for my sins. The enemy’s whispers get louder and I start to believe that I will not see Leah in heaven, but instead that the Lord will say, “Depart from Me, I never knew you.” I brake down in tears crying out to the Lord, “Don’t send me to hell, Lord! I know I deserve it, but You have saved me! You are my Lord!” The whispers from the enemy get louder and louder and I cry out to the Lord Jesus, “I call you Lord, but do you call me friend? How about brother? You said Jesus “Anyone who does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother!” (Matthew 12:46-50). Again I ask, “Am I Your brother?” Finally there is silence, and I’m reminded of my name, “Michael”, which means “Whos is like God?” I proclaim with tears dripping down my face, “No one, Lord. No one is like You.” I look up at the living room wall and see our sign that says “BE STILL AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD”.
The Darkest Valley
There has been a book, outside of the bible, that has been helping me as I journey through what is considered my “darkest valley.” The book is “Pilgrim’s Progress” and as someone who doesn’t read a lot of fiction books, I’m grateful for this book. There is a chapter where the main character, Christian, is walking through the Valley of the Shadow of Death, and he needs to walk through the valley to get to the Celestial Castle. Even though it was a difficult journey, there was one thing Christian did; He fought and didn’t quit.
Fighting The Good Fight
We all have our “darkest valley”, and it is very easy to give into the temptation of quitting. I’m sure King David felt the same way. (If you don’t believe me, just go read the book of Psalms. You’ll get a great glimpse of the roller coaster of emotions he went through.) What kept David from not quitting? Psalm 23 gives us the answer.
David didn’t fear the valley because the Lord was with him. (Psalm 23:4B)
David was protected and comforted while going through the valley. (Psalm 23:4C)
There was a feast being prepared for David. (Psalm 23:5A)
Honor and blessings were being poured onto David. (Psalm 23:5B)
The goodness and unfailing love of the Lord. (Psalm 23:6A)
David knew he was going to be with the Lord, forever! (Psalm 23:6B)
I don’t know what your “darkest valley” is right now, but I want to encourage you, don’t quit. Yes, it is dark and scary, but there is light at the end of this valley, whether it is here on earth or being in heaven for the rest of eternity. If you feel like quitting, go to God’s Word and pray. The Lord Jesus Christ will sustain you and get you through to the other side.
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing.- 2nd Timothy 4:7-8
-Michael A. Kubus
Shirts For Haiti
This past weekend I launched our new shirts that we are selling! I mentioned in my last blog, “Shirts For Haiti”, that any profits that I would have made from now to the end of the year would go to Tia Tannis, a missionary in Haiti, to help her have the funds she needs to get the supplies to help those in need after the earthquake. Please consider purchasing one of the shirts below so we can help the people in Haiti during this difficult time.
MAK 