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Psalm 23:4 - I Will Fear No Evil; For Thou Art With Me.Psalm 23:4 (ESV) Even 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.WORD STUDY His Word And Spirit Shall Comfort Them - His Rod And Staff... he will guide them with his rod and sustain them with his staff. The gospel is called the rod of Christ's strength <Ps. 110:2> (Matthew Henry's Commentary) INTRODUCTION Death casts a frightening shadow over us because we are entirely helpless in its presence. We can struggle with other enemies - pain, depression, disease, and injury - but our strength and courage cannot overcome death. In terms of this life, death has the final word. Only one person can walk with us through death's dark valley and bring us safely to the other side - the God of life, our Shepherd. Because life is uncertain, we should follow this Shepherd, who offers us eternal comfort and light in the darkness. [Life Application SB 2019] COMMENTARY PEARL In the Face of Death Forerunners of the Protestant Reformation, Bohemians John Huss and Jerome were tried and found to be heretics by the Catholic Church, condemned for their bold preaching of Bible truth. Historian John Wylie described their execution via burning at the stake by, interestingly, quoting a historian-turned-pope: "Both ... bore themselves with constant mind when their last hour approached. ... They uttered no cry of pain. When the flames rose, they began to sing hymns; and scarce could the vehemency of the fire stop their singing?" How is that possible in the face of such a death? Only with God is it possible. God's comfort gave these martyrs the ability to praise and thank Him even in death. Are you walking in the valleys and shadows? Today's Bible promise is for you. God has not abandoned you. A shepherd's "rod" was often used to fend off threats to the sheep. As for a shepherd's "staff," the original Hebrew word means "support?" God is the shield behind which you harbor and the cornerstone on which you lean - even near death. What kind of protection, you might be thinking, results in loss of life? Though death may claim us in this life, if your faith endures to the end, God promises to protect you from the ultimate evil in which Satan is working to entrap us all - eternal death. You have nothing to fear if you die in Christ. Lord, thank You for being with me even in the face of death and for Your promise to raise me up on the last day. [The Most Amazing Bible Promises by Amazing Facts] COMMENTARY Going Through The Valley It's one thing to say that you're not alone. It's another to name and know who is walking with you through the valley. When David penned the words to Psalm 23, he was facing life-threatening danger, but instead of fear, we read a stunning account of calm confidence in his Shepherd. Two lines in this verse are calling out to you with hope: The first is, "for you are with me." No matter how deep the pit or how dark the night, you can take comfort in the truth that someone is with you. God Almighty is near, and His presence is a catalyst for driving out fear. You may not be able to sense or see Him, but no darkness can hide His presence from you. The second reads, "Even though I walk through the valley." God is not leading you to the valley you're in. He promises to lead you through it. This current place of struggle you're in will not be the end, so be encouraged today that God is at work, even if you can't see it right now. Dear Lord, You promise proximity and power for those who lean into Your ways, O Lord. Even if hardship comes, You are my strength. [Grace and Glory by Louie Giglio] CLOSING THOUGHT God's Presence: Your Anchor Through Any Storm God's presence is the greatest anchor in any situation. When you're feeling hopeless, remember that God hasn't left you. Choose to make him your rock-solid anchor. No matter how dark your valley, you've never been closer to God than you are at this exact moment. When I remind people of that truth while they're in the middle of a setback, they often tell me: "Well, I don't feel his presence." But it really has nothing to do with how you feel. The Bible says God is there in your darkest valley. That's reality - whether you believe it or not. The Bible says, "I'm absolutely convinced that nothing - nothing living or dead, angelic or demonic, today or tomorrow, high or low, thinkable or unthinkable - absolutely nothing can get between us and God's love because of the way that Jesus our Master has embraced us" (Romans 8:38-39 The Message). No matter what you're going through, God and his love are right there with you. That truth offers stability in any storm. [Daily Devotional by Rick Warren: https://pastorrick.com/devotional/] LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY Psalm 23:4 - I Will Fear No Evil; For Thou Art With Me. https://www.abible.com/devotions/2024/20240725-1232.html https://www.abible.com/devotions/2020/20201012-1026.html http://www.abible.com/devotions/2020/20200425-0903.html Psalm 23:4 - Thy Rod And Thy Staff They Comfort Me. http://www.abible.com/devotions/2020/20200426-0914.html Isaiah 43:2 - Help In Troubled Times. https://www.abible.com/devotions/2022/20220128-0840.html LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT https://abible.com/links/ |