In The Grip of His Mercy!

“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for you are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over.
Psalm 23:4-5
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As we watch with shock, awe and prayer at the devastation that Hurricane Michael has unleashed on Panama City and Mexico Beach, Florida, and other surrounding communities and states, we are reminded that we must find God’s will in the midst of troubled times.

“However, the problem with finding God’s will in troubled times is the “troubled times” part. 

It’s easy to find the flashlight stored in the kitchen drawer at noontime on a sunny day.  It isn’t so easy if a lightning strike awakens you in your second-floor bedroom, and you discover your power is out.  Suddenly you find yourself navigating staircases, hallways and furniture in darkened rooms when you are half-asleep and disoriented.  Even that is extremely simple compared to finding God’s will when trouble is clouding your every thought and stirring your emotions to the breaking point!…

The Bible says the “just shall live by faith.” That means that God expects us to just keep on walking in spite of our troubles and in the face of danger, disease and terror.

Millions of people have turned to the reassuring and gentle Twenty-third Psalm for comfort in times of need over the centuries, but have you noticed that David the psalmist made no promises about an absence of challenges or difficulty in that prayerful declaration?

(When we walk through the valley of the shadow of death), peace becomes our constant companion the instant that we realize deep in our soul that God is still God, even in the midst of hard times! Far too few of us understand this eternal truth because we just keep our eyes on the problems and obstacles oppressing us. Our hearts come under the influence of whatever you look at and focus on the most.”

Let’s focus on the fact that we truly are in the Grip of His mercy; especially during the troubled times!

(excerpt from In the Grip of His Mercy, Health Communications, Inc., 2005) #DearYoungPastor #HoldToHisHand #DearBishop #MercySuitsMyCase ~~~

With Love and Prayerful Concern,

Bishop Donald Hilliard, Jr.