Timely Insights into God's Word from Khandielese Reyes

“The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.  He Maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.  He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.  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.   Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.  Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.” (Psalms 23) 

Exhausted from the day’s demands and from the weight of many trials, Steven fell on his face before the Lord and wept.   How long Lord must I endure such pain, he cried.  When the trials first began, Steven stood firm on God’s word, claiming every promise the Lord declared.   But, now it seemed he was becoming weary and had allowed the spirit of hopelessness and despair to enter in.  He knew the word of God, and believed what was written in his heart but like the man who cried out to the Lord in the scriptures saying: “Lord I believe, but help my unbelief” Steven felt he’d reached this place in his walk with the Lord.   

In his right hand he clutched the final demand notice for payment from the bank that held the title to his home.  He had 2 weeks to come up with the funds or he would be forced to leave.  Up to now he’d believed strongly the Lord would miraculously send him the money needed, and even now in his heart he STILL believed but simply felt overwhelmed at present.  In 1 year’s time, his life had changed dramatically suffering one trial after the other yet through it all, he continued to confess God’s word.  His wife of 12 years had walked away from the marriage taking their 3 children with her.  Her reasons for leaving still tore at his heart, as her claims were he was no longer the man she once knew, and she’d fallen out of love with him.   She considered him to “fanatical” in his constant reading and sharing the word of God, and to her, he seemed to be more “in love” with Jesus, than her.  For years Steven had attempted to share with her his love for the Lord and his unspeakable joy over receiving the gift of salvation and eternal life, but she turned a deaf ear to his speech.  He could not understand, at that time, why his wife did not share his joy after being witness to how the Lord had instantly changed his life for the better, when he accepted Him as his Lord and Savior.  For years he had suffered drug and alcohol addiction, not to mention his constant outbursts of anger where his speech was quite vicious and hurtful, and yet he was instantly delivered from these things when he became “born-again”.   Yes, it was true he was indeed a changed man, but surely the change was for the better as now he was a very loving, humble and gentle man who surrendered himself to the Lord to be used in any way God saw fit, that would bring Glory to His Name.  Surely she had to have been displeased with the “old” Steven and would rather have the “new”.  He wanted with all his heart for her to know the Lord Jesus, but gave up on trying to verbally share the message himself and simply resorted to prayer.  He prayed daily and stood in faith that one day she would come to the knowledge of the truth.  He desired she would one day experience the joy he had known in fellowship with the Lord and he clung to this hope that the Spirit of the Lord would draw her close to repentance and total surrender to Christ.  He believed this up to the day and well after, she turned her back and walked away.  Even now, although his heart was broken he STILL believed.   

Shortly after his wife left, Steven lost his job of seventeen years.  He immediately began his search for employment putting application after application in, and going on a few interviews believing the Lord would open the doors and make a way for him, but as yet, he’d not been called by anyone for hire.  After losing his job, Steven became ill with liver complications due to the many years of alcohol abuse and was hospitalized.  It was during his hospital stay that he learned the tragic news of his beloved mother and brother, who were both killed instantly in an automobile accident.  Depression seized hold of him as he was grief stricken beyond words.   Months before their death he’d shared the gospel of Jesus Christ with them, but they were not at that time ready to give their hearts to the Lord.  And now, he was heartbroken believing he’d failed, that perhaps he should have been more persistent in his sharing of the Gospel, for now he thought, he would never see his mother and brother again. 

“Oh Lord, he cried!  How much can one bear?  Have mercy on me my Lord for I am weak.  Forgive me of my sin of doubt, as I know in my heart your word is truth and shall not return to you void.  I know you are near me Lord for you promised in your word that you would never leave nor forsake me.   This I believe in my heart, although it appears you are so very far away, I trust that you are near.  Restore me oh Lord, he prayed.  Have mercy on me.  Reveal to me my sins against you that possibly opened the doors to all this turmoil in my life that I may repent.  I love you Lord Jesus cried Steven, please have mercy on me.”  Sobbing uncontrollably. Steven went to bed and shortly after fell into a deep sleep dreaming a most remarkable dream.  In this dream he found himself standing in the midst of complete barren land.  He looked to the North, South, East and West but there was nothing visible in sight.  All that could be seen was desert land, with a few stones here and there.  He cried out in desperation, “Lord Jesus, help me!  Where am I?” But, he heard no reply except the echo of his own voice.  He became frighten and began wandering aimlessly in search of a way out of this valley.  He tried walking towards the North, but after 5 miles he still found himself in the center of emptiness.  Frantically he walked towards the West, then the East, but still saw no indication of civilization near by.  He seemed to be walking an endless walk in circles ending up at the exact point where he started.  He’d never felt more alone in his life!  He became exhausted and simply felt he couldn’t take another step.  “There is nothing before me except this valley, he said.  How am I ever to get out of here?  Where is the Lord?  Why does it seem that he’s abandoned me?  I’ve walked for miles and miles and still I end up where I’d first began.”  Suddenly, out of nowhere he saw two figures standing to his right.   He wondered where they’d come from as it seemed they appeared from thin air.  He ran towards them thinking perhaps they were angels sent by God to help direct his steps that he may leave this desert land, but as he drew nearer to them he noticed there was something vaguely familiar about them that he disliked.  Who are you, he demanded and where did you come from?  The taller and who appeared to be the most dominant of the two replied, “we’ve come to walk this journey with you, you invited us along.”  I invited no one, except the Lord Jesus said Steven.  What are your names?  Again, the taller one replied: “You indeed invited us along, we’ve been walking with you for quite sometime.  My name is “depression”, and this is my companion AND yours whom you know quite well, his name is “despair”!  We have accepted your invitation to walk along side you on this journey!”  Steven replied: “I rebuke you now in the name of Jesus!   I want nothing to do with either one of you!   Surely if you were to travel with me, I shall never get out of this place.  Be gone now, he demanded, in Jesus’ Name.”  He then fell to his knees and began praying his favorite Psalm.  “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.  He Maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.  He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.  Yea though I WALK THROUGH THE VALLEY ………. He stopped suddenly as if hit by a bolt of lightening and repeated the same words again, Yea though I WALK THROUGH THE VALLEY, he said it a third time, Yea though I WALK THROUGH THE VALLEY…….. Suddenly his strength was revived.  He began shouting praises and worshiping the Lord there in the midst of the deep deserted valley he was now standing in.  “Oh praise your Name, cried Steven! Praise your most Holy and Awesome Name!  I understand now my Lord, I truly understand!”  Joy overtook Steven, and he began dancing there in the wilderness, worshiping and singing praises to the Lord.  He wept tears of joy as he no longer was afraid, no longer felt hopelessness and despair, no longer felt there was no way out of the valley, and NO LONGER felt alone but knew the Lord was right there with him.  Suddenly, right before his eyes appeared the most brilliant light he’d ever seen and from the Light came a most powerful and yet gentle voice, “Follow Me”!  He immediately began following this most radiant, most incredible light.  Along the way, he continued in his rejoicing to the Lord and singing songs of praise.  He could feel the Lords presence, and his arms around him.  There was safety, and victory in this awesome light, and somehow, in the presence of THE LIGHT the valley no longer appeared as desert land, but a simple road.  During this walk, he and the Lord conversed as he shared his heart with the Lord and the Lord shared also with him.  He’d never in his life felt such peace, such joy, such HOPE!  Before he knew it, he was standing at the edge of a most beautiful city.  He turned to embrace the Lord, and clinging to him he said: “Thank you my friend, thank you my precious Lord for you are faithful and true to your word.  Jesus looked at Steven with such love, such compassion and said “What did you learn my son?”  Steven replied, “Lord I’ve learned that even in the midst of the storm you are there, and despite whatever trials and tribulations that come my way, you are ALWAYS WORTHY of the PRAISE and GLORY! No matter what my Lord, YOU ARE WORTHY!  The Lord looked at him and smiled.  “What else did you learn my son?” said the Lord.  Steven replied: “possibly the greatest thing ever my Lord.   I’ve learned that it has NEVER been your intentions for any of your children to walk IN the valley, but THROUGH the valley.  It is only when we walk THROUGH do we reach the fulfillment of your promises.  When we walk IN we wander around aimlessly as I did, seeking a way out and finding none.  If we walk THROUGH the valley we KNOW that you are with us, and your rod and staff comforts us.  We are sure to reach the answer, the victory, the promised blessing if we only WALK THROUGH!  The Lord replied, “Well said my son, well said!” 

At this, Steven awakened from his dream.  He was so overjoyed he could hardly contain himself.  He jumped out of bed and began praising and worshiping the Lord until the sun rose.   Early that morning he received a call from His wife.  It seemed the Lord had touched the heart of his eldest son, and through the urging of this son she and the other children gave their heart to the Lord and accepted the gift of salvation and eternal life.  She told Steven that she now understood his joy, his love, his hope in the Lord Jesus for now she to felt the same way.  She and the children were coming home.  Steven was consumed with thanksgiving to the Lord.  He fell to his knees weeping tears of joy, giving thanks and praise to God.  In the midst of his praise, he received another phone call.  It was from his attending physician who called to give him a most blessed report.   “It appears, said the doctor that your liver is now functioning normally.  I cannot explain this except to suggest it is a miracle, beyond medical knowledge or explanation.  It is as if you’ve been given an entirely NEW liver!  Steven, without the help of any medication or transplant, you are NOW a very healthy man!”  Steven almost collapsed under the weight of this good news.  He could hardly stand the blessings he was receiving.  “My Father, he cried, My God you are so awesome.  There is NOTHING impossible with you!  How I give you PRAISE!  I LOVE YOU my Lord!”  He was interrupted once again by the ring of the telephone and this time the caller was from one of the companies he’d had an interview with.  They desired to hire him and asked if he could begin work the following week.  He thanked the gentlemen for the offer and accepted immediately.  Once again he began singing praises of thanksgiving to the Lord when suddenly there was a knock at the door.  He opened the door to find his neighbor and fellow brother who lived two blocks away.  He was standing there with an envelope in his hand.  He told him that he’d received a letter by mistake that belonged to Steven.  The address had been written incorrectly, but recognizing the name, he brought the letter over to him.   He also handed Steven a check for $5,000.00 expressing that he felt led of the Lord to give this to him.  Steven was overwhelmed and embraced his fellow brother thanking him for being such a willing vessel to be used of the Lord in such an awesome way.  He then accepted the check and the envelope and watched as his neighbor who seemed to illuminate with the light of the Love of Christ, walk quietly away.  Taking a glance at the envelope, he recognized the senders’ address immediately and began to weep.   It was sent from his mother’s old address.  He quickly tore open the letter and it read:

“My dearest son,

After my conversation with you the other evening, your brother and I began to think heavily upon the matter.  We could not fully understand at the time, all that you shared with us concerning the Gospel of Jesus Christ. But the one thing we did come to understand (and we know it was only by the power of the Holy Spirit) was that ONLY through our acceptance of Jesus Christ, could we obtain salvation and Eternal Life.  Therefore, I wanted to share with you the good news, that your brother and I both have repented of our sins, and have opened our hearts and accepted Jesus as our Lord and Savior.  We have both also received the baptism of the Holy Spirit and are blessed beyond words.  My Son, I just want to thank you with all my heart for introducing this precious man name Jesus to your brother and myself.  We rejoice in the fact that if we never see one another again in this life, we shall ALL meet together some day in the Kingdom of Heaven.  We are so very grateful to know the Love of the Lord.  Thank you my son, for loving us enough to reach out and share with us the way to LIFE!  I love you more than I can express in words.  God bless you my son, we are praying for you.  We both know the Lord will restore ALL back to you!

Love, Your mom” 

After looking at the date printed on the letter, Steven realized it was written 2 days before his mother and brother went home to be with the Lord.  “Thank you dear Lord, said Steven!  Thank you for letting me know my mother and brother are now with you!”  At that….Steven wept and prayed silently his favorite psalm.  “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.  He Maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.  He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.  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.  Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.  Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.” (Psalms 23)

Yes, SURELY said Steven, GOODNESS AND MERCY SHALL FOLLOW ME ALL THE DAYS OF MY LIFE: AND I WILL DWELL IN THE HOUSE OF THE LORD FOREVER!

I love you all so very much. Have a blessed week in the Lord and remember: Whatever we do, do ALL for the GLORY of GOD, who ALONE is worthy of the GLORY and the PRAISE!

May the peace of the Lord be with you today and always…….

Khandielese
Daughter & Servant
   of the Lord God