“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.” Psalm 23:4 NIV
Psalm 23 is a familiar passage, I’ve written about it often. I think it is so familiar, that often we repeat the words without letting it sink in and really grasp the power of the prayer.
Because it is powerful. It is David’s declaration of the mighty power and faithfulness of the Lord, waging war in “high places.” (Ephesians 6:12)
Today's Digital Battlefield
The featured image in this update reminds me of this verse. We been talking for the past several weeks about awareness and preparation in life’s journey, wherever it takes us, and the challenges we face in the 21st century and the digital age.
The battlefield is not on the rough and hot plains, but in the zero’s and one’s of the digital world. Criminals hide behind fake account and creep in through digital backdoors.
This is the topic of this week’s livestream, “The Ministry’s Wiretap: How CALEA Became the Dark Mark on U.S. Phones,” and that it isn’t just politicians and world leaders that are at risk of having their communications surveilled.
Standing in Strength
In my devotional, #NoFear (2019), I wrote about the most common fears and how to combat them. The #1 fear among Americans at that time was government corruption. The government has not become any more trustworthy and there are even more areas of overreach and concern.
Regardless of the turmoil our society faces, my answer is still the same. As David wrote, “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the Name of the Lord our God.” Psalm 20:7.
Facing the Dark Valley
That brings us back to the fourth verse of Psalm 23, we will all go through a “dark valley” at one point or another, whether it is illness, job loss, family betrayals, or societal upset. Whatever it is, our response is the same. Our security -- our peace — is not found in what we have, where we live, or who we know … it is in who God is.
The Lord is faithful. The Lord is good. We can trust in him.
What struck me about this image is that on the ridge the woman can see the good end, the light beyond the valley. But while she is in the valley, that end is obscured.
That is the way the trials of life so often are, we are walking in the dark, not seeing the end, or sometimes even the way, while we are down in the valley overshadowed by mountainous troubles. But the light beyond is the good end God has promised.
We have to keep walking until we reach the other side.
That is what we were made for … we were raised to walk in that newness of life.
Being on Guard
I hope you’ll join me for this week’s livestream, “The Ministry’s Wiretap: How CALEA Became the Dark Mark on U.S. Phones.” Bring your thoughts and drop them in the chat. If you can’t make the livestream, reply to this email with your thoughts or a question on what I’ve covered this week or in previous livestreams and I’ll answer them in the live.
Join me for the latest updated in "Hacked: the Saga," on “The Ministry’s Wiretap: How CALEA Became the Dark Mark on U.S. Phones.”
Just as the Dark Mark signals a hidden, powerful force in the wizarding world, CALEA operates as a modern‑day Dark Mark on our phones—an invisible spell that lets governments listen in. We’ll decode the magic, expose the danger, and give you the defensive charms you need.
The livestream will be at 5:30 pm EST / 4:30 pm CST / 2:30 pm PST on Thursday, January 29th. I hope you can join me.
​