By: Jeff Fuller
We have endured more than our fair share of struggles and hardships. It keeps coming in some from or another, reopening the wounds and bringing sorrow all over again. We cannot seem to get over one thing, before another thing and we are in the “valley of the shadow” once again.
These are statements one community and area of our state could say and may have said over the past several months as they have taken hit after hit within such a short period of time. Aside from the normal losses, we have read or heard of various high-profile news stories out of our neighbors in Lee County:
- Early March, the Beauregard area and east toward Georgia was hit hard by an EF-4 tornado which claimed 23 lives, destroying homes, and bringing pain and sorrow to a close-knit community;
- In May an Auburn Police Officer (William Buechner) was killed when he responded to a domestic incident; a short time after his services were held, Auburn University announcer Rod Bramblett and his wife Paula were killed in an automobile accident;
- June brought the murder of a Fort Benning Solider (Brandyn Paonessa) and the death of a beloved Auburn University librarian (Joe Cleere) in a hit and run accident.
What a tremendous amount of pain and suffering in a short period of time for Lee County! It breaks my heart; yet, causes me to remember the Word of God speaks to times such as this.
We read:
“The LORD is my shepherd; there is nothing I lack. He lets me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. He renews my life; He leads me along the right paths for His name’s sake. Even when I go through the darkest valley, I fear no danger, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff—they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Only goodness and faithful love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD as long as I live.” Psalm 23:1-6 (HCSB)
Thankful we are reminded that we “walk through the valley of the shadow of death.” We do not live in the valley, stay in the valley, camp out in the valley; no, He-the Great Shepherd_ leads us through the valley, bringing us out to brighter, clearer, sweeter days. No matter how close these days are together, He is always there leading us along the path He has marked for us. We learn valuable and necessary lessons as we move along, up and down, this path.
We come to trust Him deeper, more sincerely:
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding; think about Him in all your ways, and He will guide you on the right paths. Proverbs 3:5-6 (HCSB)
We see Him with us:
“You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:13 (HCSB)
We recognize that His ways are greater than our ways:
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, and your ways are not My ways.” ⌊This is⌋ the LORD’s declaration. “For as heaven is higher than earth, so My ways are higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:8-9 (HCSB)
I continue to pray for my friends and family in Lee County. Such difficult things they have endured, but yet continuing to trust God to work out His purposes from such sad situations. I pray for you as well. May we trust Him:
“We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God: those who are called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28 (HCSB)
Difficult days drive us deeper in our relationship with the Savior. Trusting Him in all things creates a peace that we do not and cannot understand.
Until next time…