Skip to main content

Psalm 23:4

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.
(NIV)
The Good Shepherd has lead you beside the quiet waters, He has guided you down the paths of righteousness, yet we still end up in the valley of the shadow of death. This is an easily missed point, but being led by the Shepherd doesn't mean you don't go through the valleys. Sometimes the best pastures are on the other side of the valley.

Notice in this verse that the psalmist knows this. He knows that the shepherd is still with him, so he does not fear. In these times he isn't comforted by the softness of the shepherd, he is comforted by the fact that the Shepherd carries a big stick. He knows that whatever comes this way will be handled by the Shepherd.

What about you? Where are you at today? Are you in a valley or on top of the greenest pasture? Remember the Shepherd today. If you are in the valley, remember that He is there. If you are in good pasture or beside quiet waters, remember that He is there.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Jonah 2:10

And the LORD commanded the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land. (NIV) Don't you just love fresh starts. They're not always fresh, but they are a start. The God that we serve is a God of fresh starts. My mind goes to the many times that Christ reached out his hand, pulling a lame man to his feet, and saying, "...now go and sin no more." Or the woman caught in adultery, "...neither do I condemn you, go and sin no more." Only a God of grace will allow a swallowed man to repent. Praise Him.

Galatians 5:25

Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Wow, this is a really cool verse. Once again, there is a phrase in here that I have never noticed before. The part that says, "...let us keep in step..." It makes me think of a dance. The spirit leads, and I stay in step. When that happens, it is beautiful.

James 1:4

Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. (NIV) This goes right along with what I was saying in the commentary on the previous verse. Perseverance is one the most key essentials to true Christianity. In this verse you can see that perseverance leads to Christian Maturity, but it is only a whole or complete perseverance that will do this.