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Verse: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. —Psalm 23:4, KJV
Maow, the cat we adopted three months ago, has a curious morning ritual. Having been a stray before we adopted him, he regards the home litter box with absolute disdain and instead insists on going to the nearby park for his morning business. But because of his frequent scuffles with the community cat (which counts our cul-de-sac as his territory), Maow “meow-calls” me early every morning to shepherd him through the danger zone to the relative safety of the park. Instead of being guarded, he now struts along, trusting me to ward off the rogue cat. As we play out this amusing little scene every day, I realize how like my relationship with God this looks.
As David sings, “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want” (Psalm 23:1, KJV). Coming out of our front gate is the most treacherous spot on our walk to the park. Peering under parked cars, I look out for the lurking enemy cat threatening to strike. I think of 1 Peter 5:8: “Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (NIV), just like the community cat who often appears suddenly, making a lunge for Maow. In these instances, I try to pick up my cat so that he can remain safe. But he wriggles so fiercely, demanding his freedom, that I often let go of him —only to have to race again to his defense from his lithe enemy.
At these times, I am reminded of Jesus’ words about His desire to shelter even an unwilling Jerusalem as a mother hen gathers her chicks under her wings (Luke 13:34). Seeing myself in Maow’s “shoes,” I realize my complete dependence on God is the key to being able to navigate safely from life’s “front gate.” God has told me to trust Him with all my heart and follow the path as He reveals it to me (Proverbs 3:5, 6). There are times when I may be impatient, but waiting for God to walk me through the gate is safer (Isaiah 40:31). When I do things my way, though, and subsequently get crushed by marauding “alley cats,” I run back to Him, and He comforts me (Psalms 23:4; 34:18). Friends, we have recently stepped through the COVID-19 pandemic gate into the unknown. So, as Maow trusts me for safety, let us wholeheartedly trust in the Lord. Let us “acknowledge Him” in all our ways, and “He shall direct … [our] paths” (Proverbs 3:6, NKJV).
Jessy Quilindo