February 23

God's Word

I Will Fear No Evil

“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for
You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.”
Psalm 23:4 (NASB)

Alone at the house, I heard a quiet entry. As I turned around, an unknown
man grabbed me from behind. With a knife, he demanded
money. I screamed; he squeezed my windpipe. Holding the knife on
me, he walked me through each room, and I gave him whatever money
I knew about.

Then he took me into the bedroom, where he attempted to do what
every woman fears the most, but God protected and delivered me.
As he let go of me, I told him, “God loves you. He loves you more
than anyone. He has plans for your life, plans to give you a future and
a hope.” He told me to stop talking, but the Holy Spirit compelled me
to speak.

Commanding me to stay seated on the bed, he went through the
house in search of more money. A Bible was on the bed, and God directed
me to Psalm 23. I prayed and read aloud. My quiet times prior to
this incident had been centered on God’s names. As I sat, I claimed the
different facets of His character.

He is El Roi, the God who sees. “The eyes of the Lord are in every place,
watching the evil and the good” (Prov. 15:3, NASB).
He is Jehovah-Shammah, the Lord is there.
He is Jehovah-Raah, the Lord is my Shepherd.
“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” (Ps. 23:4, KJV).

The man left. God is in control.

—Sarah, Central, Eastern and Southern Africa

Father, thank You for protecting this journeyman from further harm. I pray,
Jehovah-Shammah, that You will put hedges of protection around single women
missionaries as they minister in international countries. I ask in the name of
Jesus that Satan will not be able to touch them. Amen.

Next day