Showing posts with label shepherds. Show all posts
Showing posts with label shepherds. Show all posts

Wednesday, April 15, 2020

In The Valley of the Shadow...HE IS!


 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
Psalm 23:4

So many people are walking through the valley of the shadow of death
and we would surely fear evil without
God's rod and staff to comfort us!
My friend and I were chatting a bit last night about
how the mind can be an enemy if we let fear dominate...
instead, we said, isn't it a great picture to visualize, as we pray,
Light bids dark evil flee 
for prayer defeats the enemy!




In the valley of the shadow where death stalks its primal prey
Waiting to besiege the pilgrim with Dark Fear’s deceptive sway
HE IS, still mighty in power through the Author of His Name
For in Calvary’s dark hour He fought Death and overcame

In the valley of the shadow where death lurks at every turn
Like the enemy in ambush, (but already overcome)
HE IS, like a tender shepherd never forsaking His sheep
Lifting us upon His shoulder when the shadows grow too deep

In the valley of the shadow where death would its dread instill
There His rod and staff bring comfort and we do not fear evil
HE IS preparing a Table in the presence of the foe
With His goodness and His mercy Heaven’s wellspring’s overflow

In the valley of the shadow where death lies in shrouded wait
Prayers are rising like a fortress evil cannot penetrate
HE IS, WAS and ALWAYS WILL BE, He IS behind and before
And He hems us in until we dwell with Him forevermore

© Janet Martin


 You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me.
Psalm 139:5



Psalm 23

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.a
3He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousnessb
for his name’s sake.
4Even 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.
5You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
6Surelyd goodness and mercye shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwellf in the house of the Lord
forever.g


Wednesday, December 13, 2017

Come. Let US Adore Him!

   

He came; the angels hailed His birth
The shepherds heard and blind faith led
them to a place of low estate
to gaze upon a manger-bed

...and though they did not understand
The grand details of what-why-who
They trusted God and simply went
To where the angels told them to 

...and when they saw that it was so
They spread the 'glad tidings of joy'
and all that heard it were amazed
as they told of this Baby Boy

...come, let us kneel and 'see' Him too
Let us let blind faith lead the Way
Let's leave our work to gaze into
The holy place where Jesus lay

...then let us spread the gladsome news
lest some as yet have not been told
Jesus, the Saviour of the world
Is the same as in days of old

The Reason for the Season lives
In humble shepherd-hearts of we
Who do not fully understand
But hear the Good News and Believe

Janet Martin



...and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
    and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

Luke 2:7-20

Friday, November 29, 2013

Still the Same Jesus



He loves us so; His truth transcends these corridors of earth
As angels told the shepherds in the hour of His birth
A Savior has been born to you and He is Christ the Lord
The Shepherds did not understand yet took them at their word
And hastened to the place to see this thing the angels said
Mary, Joseph and Baby Jesus in a manger bed

 I wonder if the angels came to me one silent night
Would I in haste forsake my post so that faith would be sight?
Or would indifference and unbelief cause me to scorn
The thought that the Messiah in a stable would be born?
The Shepherds did not question; when the multitude had gone
They said, let us go now and see this thing the Lord made known

He loves us so and did not seek a throne, this Son of God
This Holiest of Holies chose the lowliest of sod
The utter humbleness of Him who came to earth to die
Fills me with thoughts I cannot pen, though ever I may try
He loves us so; and fills with grace that debt we could not pay
With His own blood, the Son of God washed every guilt away

…and when I see the manger now and think on why He came
I tremble at the joy and peace we find in Jesus’ Name
For just as in the days of old He loves each one of us
The story that the angels told is still the same Jesus
God is not dead; oh, let our praises fill earth’s stricken slope
And let the Reason for this Season be our Living Hope

© Janet Martin