“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me (Psalm 23:4).” Even though I go through the valleys of life that are full of dangers, I rest in the faith that my Good Shepherd protects me. All of us suffer in life.
Calamities lurk around the corner. Sometimes, it just seems like we’re just waiting for the next ‘shoe’ to drop. Our focus has turned to fear, anxiety, and worry. We’re stuck in the valley and wonder if it will ever end.
David, the author of Psalm 23, had his share of trials in life but the darkest day had to be when he fled from his son Absalom who wanted to kill him and take the throne. It’s in II Samuel 16:20 through 19:8. It’s a sad story for David but, also, a story of how the Shepherd guided him through this valley.
It’s important to focus, not on being stuck in the valley covered with fear and worry, but to focus on the Shepherd by your side. The lion (I Peter 5:8) and the wolf (John 10:12) lie in wait for their prey. But the Shepherd walks beside us and takes care of us.
‘Thy rod and thy staff’—the rod is a weapon of protection used for defense, and the staff is a tool used to guide and rescue. The Shepherd/sheep relationship; in a world full of iniquity, we need the Good Shepherd to navigate the valleys and pitfalls of life.
And who else is better suited to be our Shepherd? He laid down his life so that we could choose salvation through him, Jesus Christ. “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness (Isaiah 41:10).” Praise God.
Calamities lurk around the corner. Sometimes, it just seems like we’re just waiting for the next ‘shoe’ to drop. Our focus has turned to fear, anxiety, and worry. We’re stuck in the valley and wonder if it will ever end.
David, the author of Psalm 23, had his share of trials in life but the darkest day had to be when he fled from his son Absalom who wanted to kill him and take the throne. It’s in II Samuel 16:20 through 19:8. It’s a sad story for David but, also, a story of how the Shepherd guided him through this valley.
It’s important to focus, not on being stuck in the valley covered with fear and worry, but to focus on the Shepherd by your side. The lion (I Peter 5:8) and the wolf (John 10:12) lie in wait for their prey. But the Shepherd walks beside us and takes care of us.
‘Thy rod and thy staff’—the rod is a weapon of protection used for defense, and the staff is a tool used to guide and rescue. The Shepherd/sheep relationship; in a world full of iniquity, we need the Good Shepherd to navigate the valleys and pitfalls of life.
And who else is better suited to be our Shepherd? He laid down his life so that we could choose salvation through him, Jesus Christ. “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness (Isaiah 41:10).” Praise God.
