Psalm 23 (NRSV)

The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want.He makes me lie down in green pastures;he leads me beside still waters;he restores my soul.He leads me in right pathsfor his name's sake.

Even though I walk through the darkest valley,I fear no evil;for you are with me;your rod and your staff --they comfort me.

You prepare a table before mein the presence of my enemies;you anoint my head with oil;my cup overflows.Surely goodness and mercyshall follow me all the days of my life,and I shall dwell in the house of the LORDmy whole life long.

God says, "Do not be afraid, for I am with you."

-- Isaiah 43:5 (NIV)

I try not to worry and instead try to fill my mind with comfortingverses from the Bible. Whenever I'm sad, I refer to the Bible andlisten for what God will say to me. Last Sunday night, when I wasmissing my guide dog, JR, who was at the animal hospital, God spoke tome through THE UPPER ROOM. The scripture for that day included Joshua1:5, where God says, "I will be with you; I will never leave you norforsake you." Only God could have known how worried I was about mydog!

Since I am legally blind, my guide dog is very important to myindependence. Now, at 2 AM, when I'm too frightened to sleep withoutmy dog with me, God's word in Isaiah 43:5 comforts me: "Do not beafraid, for I am with you" (NIV). I realized how little faith I havein God and how easily I let problems frighten me instead of entrustingthem to God. I am full of human imperfections, so I must learn toreplace self-centeredness with God-centeredness. God's word inscripture helps me to do just that.

Prayer: Dear God, thank you for sending Christ to redeem humankind,that we may have life everlasting. Amen.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:

Read the Bible and hear God's words of comfort and peace.

PRAYER FOCUS:

Those who are blind

By Bernadette Tan (Selangor, Malaysia)