Psalm 23 and a Preacher from Kenya

A few Sundays ago, we had a guest speaker at my church from Kenya named, Pastor James. He is a passionate African preacher who came with a powerful message about the need to be filled with the Spirit of God. He pointed out that even Jesus, at the time of His baptism, needed to be filled with the Holy Spirit... How much more so we as humans need the Spirit in us.

Well into his message, he began speaking about the "valley of the shadow of death" that the Psalmist talks about in Psalm 23. He emphasized our need for the filling of the Holy Spirit as we walk through the tough stuff of life. But there were a couple things he pointed out while talking about that particular Psalm that struck me profoundly.

He said that no one ever dies in the valley - for it is only the valley of the shadow of death. He also encouraged us to keep walking THROUGH the valley - for on the other side, there is a table prepared.

As he ended his sermon, he got down off the stage and spoke directly to various people - myself being one of them. This passionate African preacher looked me in the eye just two feet away from me and told me to keep walking. God has a table prepared for me. Nothing like God sending a preacher from Kenya to speak truth into my soul. I'll never read Psalm 23 the same way again.

Psalme 23:4,5

4 Even though I walk
through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.

5 You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.