GOSPEL CORNER: COLD. LONELY. FRIGHTENING. ABYSMAL. IN THE VALLEY OF THE SHADOW OF DEATH, WE BATTLE WITH HOPELESSNESS AND THE FEAR OF BEING ABANDONED.

25/01/24

JOEL OSTEEN MINISTRIES
TODAY’S WORD

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Hebrews 11:1, NKJV

WHEN YOU CAN’T SEE IT
When we see God’s favor—doors opening, our health improving, the right people showing up—it’s easy to believe that He’s at work. But sometimes when we’re praying and believing, there’s no sign that it’s going to happen. Every circumstance says, “There’s no way.” It’s easy to get discouraged and give up on what we’re believing for. We think, “God, just give me a sign that it’s improving.”

But faith is the evidence of things not seen. If you have the evidence and can see it, that doesn’t take any faith. To reach your destiny, there will be times when there is no evidence and you have to dig down deep and say, “I don’t have to have the evidence. I’m not moved by what I see; I’m moved by what I know. And God, I know that You are faithful to what You promised.” Don’t believe the lie that just because you don’t see a sign, God is not working. In the unseen realm, God is arranging things in your favor, lining up the healing, the right people, the promotion.

A Prayer for Today
“Father, thank You that You are my God and that my faith is rooted in who You are and not based on what I see. Thank You that I can be free from trying to figure everything out on my own. I declare that I do not need signs to know that You are working and will provide whatever I need. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”

SECTION TWO

Cold. Lonely. Frightening. Abysmal. In the valley of the shadow of death, we battle with hopelessness and the fear of being abandoned.

But see how Jesus, our good shepherd, watches over and delivers us even though we walk—not by His leading—into the valley of the shadow of death. In that valley, He is still with us.

He is not with us to say, “I told you so.” He is not standing there, with arms folded, to see how we will get out of the trouble we got ourselves into. No, He is with us to protect and deliver us with His rod and staff from the evil one.

Beloved, Jesus is a shepherd whose tender heart toward you will never allow Him to forsake you when you need Him the most. See Him with you protecting you, delivering you from death, and bringing you safely through every season of darkness.