"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou [art] with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me."KJV
I don't usually write a Christian poem with every painting I paint. For this Psalm, the medium of watercolor worked perfectly for me. With its fluid transparency, watercolor helped convey the sense of immediacy that I was after. The painting had to be quickly executed to retain its freshness.
Although I was timid and fearful as a child, I lost that fear completely when I discovered who I belonged to. How blessed it is to know God, to belong in His family and to be assured of His love!
His
perfect love casts out all my many real and imagined fears. To know Him as I now do and to still fear would dishonor Him. It would demonstrate a lack of faith in His many promises to me. I remind myself of that every time fear rears its ugly head in my life.
David's
beloved Psalm 23, written so many years ago when he was threatened on
every front by fears within and enemies without, is still able to edify today. Its beautiful poetry makes fearless those who
would otherwise be oppressed by the smothering power of fear. My poem was inspired by the words of that Psalm and the liberty that it, and other words like it in the Bible, unleashed in my life.
I hope that this example of Christian poetry, combined with the watercolor painting, will calm your fears and strengthen your walk with God. You too can trust in unchangeable nature of God and His faithfulness, which grants you the ability to live a fearless, joyful life!
So don't yield to fear instead "Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." Jam 4:7 taking with him all his impotent threats in the face of your faith!
Through the Valley
For every sheep
there comes a call
Trust the Shepherd
Above all
Take the step
While weak within
One step
Though all grow quickly dim
Demons rage
threats loom tall
One step of trust
One step is all
Your faith unlocks a mystery
It brings His presence instantly
His staff so fierce, His wrath not small
Demons at His bidding crawl
Waver not
He thought you fit
Walk bravely through
the path is lit
Take the step that’s bolder still
Fearless now, it is His will
For your Shepherd, it is He
Who owns the hill and this valley.
© Sara Joseph