In January 2019 Brad and I had the privilege to travel with our church
to the beautiful, historical and very REAL, Israel. This photo of us and our pastors was taken on the Sea of Galilee. It was a wonderful experience so much that we are planning to go again January 2024 and taking our moms too.We are praying that the trip does not get cancelled for any reason.
While we were in Israel one of the stops was at the ‘Valley’ where it is considered tradition that David (King David) prayed Psalm 23. As we gazed over the valley it was apparent why David was inclined to pray this way.
To this day, the ‘Valley’ is still very intimidating, and at the time, for most people, there was not another way to make the trip so having courage and being brave was imperative.
Read on to understand a small bit about how difficult it had to be to pass through, not only wild animals were there to take you, your family or animals down, but also other vile people that waited to steal and possibly kill. Definitely a dangerous route to undertake.
“There is a valley of the shadow of death in the Holy Land. It is south of the Jericho Road leading from Jerusalem to the Dead Sea and is a narrow defile through the mountain range. Climatic and grazing conditions make it necessary for the sheep to be moved through this valley for seasonal feeding. “The valley is four and a half miles long. Its sidewalls are over 1500 feet high in places, and it is only 10 or 12 feet wide at the bottom. Travel through the valley is dangerous, because its floor, badly eroded by cloudbursts, has deep gullies. Actual footing on solid rock is so narrow in places that a sheep cannot turn around, and it is an unwritten law of shepherds that flocks must go up the valley in the morning hours and down towards the eventide, lest flocks meet in the defile. Mules have not been able to make the trip for centuries, but sheep and goat herders from earliest Old Testament days have maintained a passage for their stock.
“About halfway through the valley, the walk crosses from one side to the other at a place where the path is cut in two by an eight-foot gully. One section of the path is about 18 inches higher than the other; the sheep must jump across it. The shepherd stands at this break and coaxes or forces the sheep to make the leap. If the sheep slips and lands in the gully, the shepherd’s staff is brought into play. The old-style crook is encircled around a large sheep’s neck or a small sheep’s chest, and it is lifted to safety. If a more modern narrow crook is used, the sheep is caught about the hoofs and lifted up to the walk.
“Many wild dogs lurk in the shadows of the valley looking for prey. After a band of sheep has entered the defile, the leader may come upon such a dog. Unable to retreat, the leader baas a warning. The shepherd, skilled in throwing his rod, hurls it at the dog and knocks it into the washed-out gully where it is easily killed. Thus, the sheep have learned to fear no evil, even in the valley of the shadow of death for their master is there to aid them and protect them from harm.”
Taken from an article by James K. Wallace who quotes the word of Ferando D’Alphonso, an experienced shepherd.
Take away… If you’re like David and also moving through a messy valley, take comfort that our Good Shepherd is with us in the midst of our trials, leading us and protecting us. We’re never alone and we will make it to the other side if we persevere, trusting God to get us safely to the other side.
For consideration… When is the last time you prayed Psalm 23 for yourself and stopped on each line of the prayer… imagining how it would feel to lay in a green pasture or have your soul restored? And then say slowly and intentionally, ‘I shall not want’. How does that make you feel? If you take the undistracted time and allow the words to penetrate your thoughts, you will be comforted! God’s Word does not go void and if it says He will do these things, then we can trust He will.
To be transparent, I have memorized this prayer but sadly, occasionally, it slips my memory or at least appears to. Have you ever pondered why it’s so easy to memorize silly songs from advertising or sad songs or lyrics that don’t build you up or even bad jokes?
But so challenging to memorize verses that will bless you and bring you comfort?
So, please don’t feel alone, it’s not just you, it’s me too…
We find in 2 Corinthians 10:5 scripture tells us to take captive our thoughts. Why not take captive those needless thoughts that clutter us and bring chaos and remove them! In Jesus NAME!
NOTE: WE CAN DO THIS! 😉
Let’s all agree to practice our memorized scriptures, (saying them out loud as often as possible) regularly, to keep them in front or over other needless, lying and wasted thoughts.
(I also create notecards and carry them with me where I can read it easily and quickly.)
Read on and think about the comfort, encouragement, and strength you can gain from these verses.
The Lord Is My Shepherd
A Psalm of David.
23 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.[a]
3 He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness[b]
for his name's sake.
4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,[c]
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
6 Surely[d] goodness and mercy[e] shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell[f] in the house of the Lord
forever.[g
A sweet gift from my Mom… it’s a floor prayer blanket.
This waterfall is also a real place that David talks about in scripture!
We were able to hike in this gorgeous area too!
To find out more about this trip and if there are still spots available click here: ISRAEL 2024
Live Radiantly… today!
Monica