“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; they rod and thy staff they comfort me.”
Psalm 23:4
This particular verse goes far beyond the prayer against fear and for protection.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death…”
Often times, we reference an unfamiliar place or a dangerous place when we recite these words. I realize now through the lenses of the Spirit that it is so much deeper than that.
Could it also be that the valley encompass trials that could have been avoided but you walked into out of disobedience?
Could it be that this valley that we are so used to praying for protection from, is the one we construct out of our own waywardness?
Friend, it is more clear to me now that often times, we fail to acknowledge that this particular part of verse 5 is a plea to our Father to forgive us for the temptation we walk into with full knowledge but a lack of wisdom.
Read it again, “Yea, though I walk…”
As if to say, “Yes Lord, I know I may walk the wide road from time to time even if I know better, but I am counting on your love to abide with me.”
It’s as though we are confessing our missteps to God and trusting in his Sovereignty as our all-knowing Father no matter what we bring upon ourselves. Lucky for us, we serve a good, good Father whose love for us surpasses the ills of our flesh and the sins it often drives us to commit.
I will fear no evil…”
There is no power on earth greater than that of the Most High God! No evil in the world greater than the goodness of our Almighty Father! He Alone Is God, and every knee shall bow! Every principality shall confess, that God is God! So let no fear of man paralyze you for you serve a God whose name is greater than all other names!
For thou are with me…”
The enemy would have you believe that God is no longer with you. Even other believers, whose hearts are not yet filled with God’s own love, would have you believe that God is only with you when you do things His way and not your way. True enough, God will not bless what He has not ordained, but it is His promise to you that He is still with you. Christ gave you that grace.
Even in circumstances where it seems practical that God should depart from us because of our disobedience and wickedness, God never leaves. We are the ones who stray.
Thy rod and they staff, they comfort me…”
If you are like me, the only reference to a rod or staff that you can make, is the one Moses used to lead God’s people out of Egypt.
But did you know that God’s own rod and staff steers his children into His glory and His path of safety? Even though we are not always allowed to see the mighty hands of God unless revealed by the Spirit, we, you and me, have been granted the comfort of God as we walk through the chaos of this world.
Friend, God is always comfort.
So no matter what valley you find yourself walking through today, please remember that the Lord your God, who is your shepherd, still reigns with His mighty rod and staff in hand to comfort the ones led by HIM.
My prayer for you today is that you will come to trust in the will and leadership of your Shepherd in Jesus name. Amen.