Hidden Treasures II: A Psalms 23 Journey: Isaiah 45:3 and Psalms 23

By Carolyn White

If you want change, abundance, overflowing, and an intimate walk with God, talk a walk with the author along the path of life. Hidden Treasures: A Psalms 23 Journey provides the tools necessary to traverse this ever changing and challenging path of life. The author provides scriptural basis for developing a faith-filled intimate walk with God that will lead us from the valley of trials and tribulations to the land of promises. Share in the intimate details of the author's life and how she allowed God's word to guide her through many trials and tribulations, to receive the ultimate gift of victory in Jesus Christ. If you're tired of feeling defeated, beat down, and disappointed, then journey with the author along the valley of life into a place of overflow and abundance.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Oct 4, 2023
• ISBN: 9798885402774

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Hidden Treasures II

A Psalms 23 Journey: Isaiah 45:3 and Psalms 23

Carolyn White

ISBN 979-8-88540-276-7 (paperback)

ISBN 979-8-88540-277-4 (digital)

Copyright © 2023 by Carolyn White

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the publisher. For permission requests, solicit the publisher via the address below.

Christian Faith Publishing

832 Park Avenue

Meadville, PA 16335

www.christianfaithpublishing.com

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

Acknowledgment

Introduction

The Lord Is

Getting Out of Your Comfort Zone

The Damascus Experience: Paul (Acts 9:1–9)

It's All in the Name: Abram, Jacob, and Saul

The Principles and Weapons of Warfare

Acknowledgment

I thank God first and foremost for never giving up on me, even in my disobedience and sluggardness. To my circle, thank you for your love and support that pushed me to never give up on the promises that God planted in my heart.

Introduction

Have you ever looked back over your life and felt like you should be farther than what you are? You should have accomplished more than what you have? Whatever happened to the dreams, passion, and desires that God planted in your heart as a youngster? What happened to the fire that burned passionately within you? What happened to the promises that God showed you? How did time just pass you by? Are you still wondering, questioning why you are where you are?

If your days have been consumed with wandering endlessly when the next level will open for you, when will you reap the promises of God, then this book is for you. This journey is for you. After forty years of questioning Why? I decided to act versus continuing to ask questions. Blaming others and doubting God was not getting me anywhere. It surely was not changing my situation or circumstances. So I decided to do the one thing that made sense, and that was step out on faith and try God, trust Him at His Word. After all, what did I have to lose? Nothing! I was tired and exhausted from fighting a battle that seemed to be an endless cycle. I needed to confront my greatest enemy, myself, if I was ever going to move forward and receive the blessings and promises of God. After all, who was standing in my way? No one but me. I was so tired and fed up with saying the phrase, I am sick and tired of being sick and tired, until it irked my soul just to hear the words.

I had to stop blaming others for where I was in life and start examining myself. That was my journey in Hidden Treasures 1: Finding Beauty in the Trials of the Wilderness, was an examination of my life and all the things that kept me wondering as I wandered through life. Getting out of the wilderness was no easy task. It meant seeking God, trusting Him, and allowing Him to guide my path. But it was well worth it because the journey afterward opened so many doors and allowed me to see life in a whole new light.

If you desire for God to lead you, restore you, bless you, and walk with you, take a journey with me, a Psalms 23 journey, to discovery of who God is and the land of promises He has in store for you. Life was not meant to be stagnant or empty. A Psalms 23 journey is filled with adventure, work, possibilities, and challenges; however, God will be with us along the way. First, we must walk through the valley to reach the promised land God has prepared for us. However, none of this is possible without God.

In order to travail the valley, you must have an understand of Who the Lord is. To survive this life, defeat the enemy, and make it through the valley into the promised land, you must know Who God is and how to call upon Him. Secondly, you will garner a good understanding of the valley. You will have to be prepared to engage in strategic warfare in the valley and be prepared for change. Then right before you can reap the harvest of the promised land, you must be willing to answer the calling God has placed on your life. If you are ready, let's begin Who the Lord is.

The Lord Is

Before we can begin the journey out of the wilderness into the promise land, we need to thoroughly and completely understand one vital concept: The Lord is. Psalms 23:1 starts off, The Lord is my Shepard. Those first three words of the psalm hold so much power, so much emphasis and so much that is unsaid. King David makes such a powerful declaration, The Lord is. This powerful phrase is often overlooked. God never meant for us to walk this path alone. He has promised us that He would always be there for us, never to leave us, nor forsake us, to provide for us, battle for us, be victorious. However, we often feel depleted and defeated during the journey of life because we lack knowledge of Who the Lord is. We fail to comprehend that we need Him every step of this journey.

Before we begin the journey out of the wilderness and into the valley, I want to introduce you to other aspects of who God is in hopes of building your faith and trust in Him. Your faith in God will give you the confidence and assurance needed to travel along the journey, through the valley, to receive the promises of God. Hear me loud and clear, you cannot make this journey without Him. In this section, we will explore who God is to assist you in developing a relationship with God and trust that God is Who God says He is: Yahweh, or Jehovah, our Lord. He is the great I Am. That generally should be enough to bring you to your knees. God is everything and all things we need and more, for He alone provides all our needs. He alone fights our battles. He alone redeemed us from our sins and granted us everlasting life. He alone is Alpha and Omega. He alone is the Great Physician. God is! However, I know that for some of us that is an ambiguous statement, with little understanding. So let's explore Who God is.

Reading of Psalms 23, King David continues his declaration: The Lord is our Shepard.

Jehovah Rohi: God is our Shepard (Ps. 23:1)

A shepherd's primary responsibility is to provide for the need and welfare of His flock: to lead them to areas of pasture, giving them their daily source of substance. The shepherd ensures that His sheep's needs are met. Sheep not only have physical needs, but emotional was well. They need to feel secure, protected, and comforted along the journey they have taken at the direction of the Shepard. That is a lot within itself. We will explore God's role as our Shepard more later on, but know for now that God is our Shepard, our guide through the dips, turns, and hidden dangers of the valley. What a mighty Shepard we have that He chases after us to bring us back into His fold. More importantly, we have a Shepard who laid down His life for us. John 10:15 (KJV) says, As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.

Next, we need to know that God is the Great I Am. We cannot define God or place limitations on Who He is or what He is capable of or the power He possesses. He is God and God alone. We need not attempt to define Him or limit Him.

Yahweh: The Great I Am

In Exodus 3:13–15, Moses ask God a question, Who shall I say sent me? God responds (paraphrasing), I Am Who I Am. Tell them I Am sent you and furthermore tell them I am the God of your fathers and forefathers. This is my name, and you shall call me this from generation to generation. God is who we are to operate in. We are called to walk according to His purpose for us. We go in His name; We do in His name. We speak in His name. Our minds cannot comprehend the vastness of Who God is and the power that He contains. However, we have confidence and assurance that He is everything we need Him to be. He is the Great I Am. The Lord simply is. As we travel the valley of life, we must have the confidence in Who sends us. If you are not sure of whom you are representing, then you will always be skeptical of your next steps. You will operate in doubt and fear.

However, once you have gained confidence and faith in the Lord, you will be quick to move and quick to go and do what God has called you to do.

And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is his name? what shall I say unto them? And God said unto Moses, I Am That I Am: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I Am hath sent me unto you. And God said moreover unto Moses, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, the Lord God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath sent me unto you: this is my name for ever, and this is my memorial unto all generations. (Exod. 3:13–15 KJV)

Next identity is the Lord our Banner!

Jehovah Nissi: The Lord is my Banner

In Exodus 17:15–17, Moses makes the declaration The Lord is my Banner, to unify the people of God who were about to go into battle in the name of the Lord. A banner symbolizes the authority in which we operate in war. The Bible teaches us the battles we face are not ours, they belong to the God (2 Chron. 20:15). Why is that? Because without God, we do not possess the ability to defeat the enemy. As we journey along the valley of life, we will face many battles. However, we are to be mindful that we operate in the name of the Lord Nissi, He goes before us and give us the authority and the victory.

And Moses built an altar and called the name of it Jehovah Nissi: For he said, Because the Lord hath sworn that the Lord will have war with Amalek from generation to generation. (Exod. 17:15–17 KJV)

We will rejoice in thy salvation, and in the name of our God we will set up our banners: the Lord fulfil all thy petitions. Now know I that the Lord saveth his anointed; he will hear him from his holy heaven with the saving strength of his right hand. Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the Lord our God. They are brought down and fallen: but we are risen and stand upright. (Ps. 20:5–8 KJV)

The next divine name of the Lord will allow you to heal from the wounds of the wilderness and then give you blessed assurance that no weapon formed against you will prosper.

Jehovah Rapha: The Lord Who Heals (Exod. 15:26)

Through the trials and tribulations of this life, through the battles we face, we become wounded, our bodies become feeble, and sickness and disease will try to attack us and bring us down. But thank God for His healing working power. Exodus 15:26 (NKJV) said, If you diligently heed the voice of the Lord your God and do what is right in My sight, give ear to My commandments and keep all My statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have brought on the Egyptians. For I am the Lord who heals you.

I have often heard people say that the Lord never said that weapons would not form against you, He just promised they would not prosper. God never said we would not face battles or be wounded by the warfare of life; however, He declared that by His strips, we are healed.

Daily you should be mindful that the enemy is coming to attempt to kill you; to steal your hope, dreams, and desires; and to destroy the future and plans that are laid out for you. But be confident in knowing that Jesus came that we may have life and have it more abundantly. You cannot live an abundant life if daily you walk in unresolved hurt and pain. Allow God's healing power to flow in and through you. He will restore all the enemy has stolen from you.

The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. (John 10:10 KJV)

For I will restore health to you and heal you of your wounds, says the Lord… (Jer. 30:17 NKJV)

But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. (1 Pet. 5:10 NKJV)

See, we are limited and powerless because we try to do only what God can do. We have to allow God to perfect us through His word and to establish our footsteps, so although we may stumble and fall along the way, He will uphold us with His righteous right hand. (Psalms 37:24, Though he falls, he shall not be utterly cast down; For the Lord upholds him with His hand.) God promised to be our strength when we are weak, because His grace that covers us and is renewed daily is perfect. (2 Corinthians 12:9, But He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.') God will settle our minds and spirit as we trust in Him, and God gives us a spirit of love and of sound mind (2 Tim. 1:7). He gives us peace that surpasses all understanding when we trust in Him (Phil. 4:6).

Lastly, it must be imbedded in your heart of hearts that God will provide all of your needs. Philippians 4:19 (KJV) says, But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

Jehovah Jirah: The Lord will provide (Gen. 22:14 KJV)

In Psalms 23, King David continues his declaration of Who God is: The Lord is my Shepard, I shall not want. God has promised to provide not only our needs, but He also promised to give us the desires of our hearts if we delight ourselves in Him (Ps. 37:4).

If you read Genesis 22, we learn that God tested Abraham. Genesis 22 is the story of God instructing Abraham to take his son Isaac and offer him up as a sacrifice to the Lord. Here Abraham demonstrates his unwavering faith in God. As Abraham and Isaac make their way to the top of the mountain, Isaac inquires of his father, Where is the lamb to be sacrifices? Abraham gently responds, God will provide (Gen. 22:8).

As we travel this journey of life, we must have that same unwavering faith in God that no matter what the circumstances seem to be, no matter what it looks like in the natural, God will provide. Everything we need, God will give generously. All He requires is our love, faith, and obedience.

And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovah Jireh: as it is said to this day, In the mount of the Lord it shall be seen. (Gen. 22:14)

I could continue to provide the many names of God. However, these are the five I want you to place in your arsenal and keep top of mind as you begin the journey out of the wilderness and into the valley. As you grow stronger and closer in the Lord, speak His name into the situations you find yourself facing throughout the valley. I also challenge you to add to your arsenal other names of the Lord as you build up your relationship with Him. Now let's start the journey.

Getting Out of Your Comfort Zone

Yea, 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. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. (Ps. 23 NKJV)

Change can be a frightening process; however, when we embrace Who God is and trust Him through the process, change can lead to new exciting and promising things. In Hidden Treasures 1, we discovered a lot about ourselves. However, we also discovered a lot about God. Before we can prepare for the journey that God has prepared for us, we must fully embrace who God is and know that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him, especially as we travel through the journey of life.

Again, I will ask you, are you really tired of being sick and tired? Are you tired of being in the same position, no growth, no change, no difference, same results? Change requires work. It requires enduring trials and tribulations. It requires obedience, tools, and a journey. What you are looking for requires you to take action, to get out of your comfort zone and move. Where you are is not where you were meant to remain. There is a journey laid out for you. It is just waiting on you to take up your treasure chest and move forward. God brought you out of bondage not to leave you in the wilderness, but to lead you to the promised land, where you reap the blessings that He has divinely laid out for you. However, this requires you to journey with Him through the valley.

It is when we become tired and weary that we seek the guidance that can only be found from a Good Shepard, someone who will guide us in the right direction. Once we attach ourselves to the Good Shepard, He will guide us from the wilderness through the valley (of life) into the promises He has for us. Once we are delivered, we don't automatically go on to the promised land. We will wander in the wilderness for a while, doubting and questioning God, being ungrateful for the things He has done in our lives, unsatisfied and empty, unappreciative and bitter. Then when we realize we cannot do it without Him, we make the transition into the valley, where "He makes us to lie down in green pastures; He leads us beside the still waters. He restores our soul; He leads us in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake (Ps. 23:2–3). Stop and read that passage again! He makes, He leads, He restores—for His name's sake! Now go to verse 4: Yeah, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death. Do you understand that you must go through the valley? This verse comes before the verses that talk about the goodness God will heap upon you! Going through the valley is a requirement, not an option. It is in the valley that God teaches us that the shadow of death" is nothing to fear. It is after all just a shadow. Death is nothing to fear because it has no control over you. It was conquered by Christ (2 Tim. 1:10).

The shadow represents the darkness and gloom of the past that the enemy tries to use to scare you away from the promises God has for you in the future. The shadow represents an era in your life when the source of Light was hidden from you. It is the void of God's light in your life. It represents the time in your life when you were without God's guiding force, wandering in the wilderness. But thank God that He made you in His image. He led you out of the darkness into His marvelous light and He restored you!

We all have to travel through the valley to reach our destiny (promised land); there is no way around it. We must all travel through the wilderness and the valley. God never intended for us to wander in the wilderness all our lives. It was initially meant as a means or path to reach the promised land. However, our disobedience, forgetfulness, and our will got in the way of His will. Our lack of faith in God kept us from receiving the promises God had for us, and we wandered aimlessly in the wilderness. We fear the valley because of our past and believing the lies of the enemy. The enemy's scare tactics of using the shadow of our past, of our failures and mistakes, to keep us from venturing into the valley is just that—a tactic, a shadow void of light. We become so comfortable in the wilderness that we forget that God has so much more in store for us, if we just take a walk with Him into the valley. I understand change can be uncomfortable, but when it leads to greater things, why not go through the process?

In the Bible, even after God had delivered Israel from Egypt and provided them with food, protection, and guidance, the children of Israel quickly forgot all that God had done for them.¹ They complained, they were unsatisfied and disobedient, and they lacked faith in what God could do, even after all that God had done for them. They even said that it would have been better for them to serve under the Pharaoh's harsh hand than to trust God and be free (Exod. 14:12)—all because they feared the enemy more than they trusted God. The promised land was right before them, but it took them forty years to reach it because they were disobedient and they denied and doubted God. It was theirs for the taking; all they had to do was trust God. The Israelites sent spies into Cannon, the land that God had promised them, to scope out their opposition. The Israelites had to physically see what they were up against instead of walking by faith and trusting that God would deliver them once again. Talk about trust issues.

Two spies, Joshua and Caleb, were confident that they were able to take the promised land. They knew God would deliver it to them. However, the words of others convinced the children of Israel that it was not possible, and it was too much for them to handle (but nothing is impossible for God). Look at that: the words of doubtful unbelievers controlled those that were supposed to be lovers and followers of God. Now ask yourself, how many blessings have you missed out on because you trusted the word of man over the word of God? Not only that, but how many people have you stopped from receiving their blessings because you spoke against the promises of God? Don't you see it? The people missed their blessing because they believed the words of those who did not trust God and believe in His promise. Now look again, those that spoke negatively caused others to be cursed with forty years of wandering, this meant Caleb and Joshua too. The good had to suffer with the bad. Those that believed had to miss their blessing because of those that did not. So because the Israelites believed and trusted the words of another over that of God, even after all that God had done for them, they wandered in the wilderness.

We are just like the Israelites even now. We waste years wandering in the wilderness, wondering how we are going to make it through, forgetting that God is our answer and fights all our battles. We delay our blessings because we trust the word of man over the word of God. We also cause other's blessings to be delayed because their blessing flow through us and our obedience to God. Now here is the hurtful truth. While sitting at my desk in October 2016, God so gently spoke to my spirit and said, Do you know how many people's blessings are delayed because you refused to obey, because you have failed to complete the assignment I have given you? You are not only blocking your blessings but that of others! God did not physically whip me, but that spanking tore my heart to pieces! My disobedience was causing others to suffer right along with me! My believing the words of others was causing my delays. Not only that, but because of the words that I spoke out of my own mouth, I was blocking the blessings of someone else. That was a meal I was not prepared to swallow or chew on! I had to get it together and come to my senses. My entering and receiving the promises of God was not only about me, but you! He was not just going to bless me, but my blessing was meant to overflow so that others could be blessed as well. The rod of discipline and the staff of correction were so tight around my neck. I had two choices straighten up, or my disobedience was going to choke the life out of me.

When we come to our senses and began to seek God and His will, we enter into the valley of trust and guidance. It is in the valley that we become familiar with the Good Shepard. We learn His ways. He teaches us and guides us. He provides our needs; gives us peace; and restores us from the pain, hurt, and disappointments we experienced in the wilderness. That is why I