The atmosphere is changing but the Lord is still our Shepherd

As we move into another “new year”, I can not help but reflect on situations of the past. The last time I sang in church was in February 2020. It was shortly after a mental health forum that I had been planning for months. That sabbath morning I had to pray before singing because I was still hurt and angry about what had transpired during the process of organizing the forum. The Friday night prayer service had gone quite well, but so called “spiritual leaders” had been trying to sabotage the program from it’s planning stages. We ended up having an epic snow storm on the day of the panel, so it was cancelled. I felt so relieved and was so very grateful to the Most High for allowing that to happen. You see, after realising how many people wanted my program to fail, I felt like throwing in the towel, but I’m not a quitter, especially when it comes to the work of the Most High. On that February 2020 Sabbath it took every ounce of courage for me to get up in front of those same scoffers and sing. A family member was in the hospital and my heart was very heavy. As I sang the song, my nerves quickly went away and certain words pierced my heart. “The atmosphere is changing, nothing stays the same, heaven is waiting for the mention of the name”. I sang those words right before the lockdowns and they still pierce my heart today. The atmosphere has changed and will continue to change, but as believers we do not have to feel afraid because the Lord is still our Shepherd. Psalm 23 outlines the lengths that the Most High Creator God will go to in order to protect his people. Now more than ever as the atmosphere changes we need to remind ourselves of those promises. The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters, He refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for His name’s sake. Like sheep, we are totally dependent on our Heavenly Father to provide us with everything we need. He watches us, protects us and keeps us from the traps set for us by the predators of this world. Verse four states, “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.” The shepherds rod is a weapon used to defend sheep by warding off predators and the staff is used to hook a sheep’s neck or leg to redirect it, sometimes to water, these tools keep the sheep safe. As the atmosphere changes, I encourage you remember that the Lord is still our shepherd.