1Yhwh is my shepherd…4Even 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.
David
sings of and to his heavenly Shepherd.
He rests and trusts in the care and provision of Yahweh towards him
(verses 1-3). He now turns his attention
towards thoughts of Yahweh’s protection.
Even though I walk through the valley of
the shadow of death
David
knew what it was like to go through difficult times- the ‘valley of deep
darkness’ (or ‘shadow of death’). Yet
David knew also that he never walked alone through these ‘valleys’; Yahweh was
always with him. And no matter how dark
it seemed David was confident to come through
the valley.
I will fear no evil, for You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
Although
faced with evil and danger, David knew he had no cause to fear these forces for
he knew Yahweh’s rod was present to defend.
David did not need to fear becoming lost, for Yahweh’s staff was present
to guide. Likely both these terms are
referring to the single shepherd’s crook.
The shepherd would use the long straight ‘rod’ to fight off wild animals
or thieves while he would use the hooked ‘staff’ to guide his sheep, keep them
on the path and pull them out of dangerous places. Together, they brought David comfort. Yahweh the Shepherd was with David in every
situation of life.
Sometimes
it happens that I find myself in places, dark and frightening places, places
I’d rather not be. How did I get here if
my Shepherd is supposed to be leading me in “the paths of righteousness”? Perhaps I wandered off the path through my
own sin or stubbornness; or perhaps—and
maybe we don’t consider this enough—perhaps God has led me there as part
of His good and right Way; leading me there “for His Name’s sake”, because even
these dark places are part of my ultimate journey of Faith—they have a purpose
in my life.
I am
encouraged to know that these places dark places of life are not the final
destination; I am going through them,
which means I will come out on the other side.
I am not sure how long it will take to get through, but I must trust
that I will come out.
I know
there is no cause for fear because my Shepherd goes into the valley with me. I am not alone or abandoned; His presence is
with me and I can call upon Him in the valley—note how David addresses Yahweh
directly, “You are with me…”
God’s
protection and care are always present for his people. How much this Psalm still resonates as a
source of comfort to the believer today!
Be blessed!
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