Psalm 23
Week 4: Though I walk through difficult times; I will not fear
1 The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not lack. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside peaceful waters. 3 He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness, not for my earning it, but for His name’s sake.
4 Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will not be afraid for you are with me. Your rod and your staff they comfort me. Psalm 23:1-4
Notice how the passage changes from talking about the good Shepherd, to talking to the good Shepherd. This is a place of deep intimacy between the Sheep and its Shepherd.
In order to get to the high mountain ranges sheep have to journey through the valley. This is a dangerous journey for sheep. Their survival depends on their complete reliance upon their Shepherd. All the dangers of flooded rivers, avalanches, rock slides, poisonous plants, predators, and storms of sleet, hail, and snow are the challenges that sheep face on their journey.
Our Good Shepherd, Jesus, warned us of the difficulties that we’d face in our journey of life, but He also gave us a promise of victory and peace in the midst of any trial, disappointment, and distressing situation.
John 16:33: I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.] AMP
Romans 8:35-39 Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? 36 (As the Scriptures say, “For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.” 37 No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. 38 And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. 39 No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. NLT
I will not be afraid for you are with me
Matthew 14:27: But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said.“Take courage. I am here!NLT Footnotes: Matthew 14:27 Or The ‘I Am’ is here; Greek reads I am. See Exod 3:14.
Psalm 46:1,2 GOD IS our Refuge and Strength [mighty and impenetrable to temptation], a very present and well-proved help in trouble. 2Therefore we will not fear AMP
Isaiah 41:10 Fear not [there is nothing to fear], for I am with you; do not look around you in terror and be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen and harden you to difficulties, yes, I will help you; yes, I will hold you up and retain you with My [victorious] right hand of rightness and justice. AMP
Isaiah 43:1-3 listen to the Lord who created you. O Israel, the one who formed you says, “Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine. 2 When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. 3 For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior NLT
Hebrews 13:5 for He [God] Himself has said, I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support. [I will] not,[I will] not, [I will] not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake nor let [you] down (relax My hold on you)! [Assuredly not!] Amp
Psalm 112:4,7,8: When darkness overtakes the godly, light will come bursting in. For the Lord is generous, compassionate, and righteous. The righteous do no fear bad news; they confidently trust the Lord to care for them. They are confident and fearless and can face their enemy triumphantly. NLT
Your rod comforts me
As sheep of the Good Shepherd, Jesus, we never have to be afraid when we face difficult circumstances, why? Because two distinct items are in our Good Shepherd’s hand and they bring comfort to our hearts.
1. His Rod: The rod is the main weapon of defense for the shepherd and his sheep. The rod, is in fact, an extension of the shepherd’s right arm. It stands as a symbol of his strength, his power, and his authority over the enemies that come against his sheep. For us, the rod represents the spoken word of God. It is the knowledge of His final word, authority, and delivering power that brings us comfort to our hearts when we are in the midst of a trial and being tempted by our enemy. It is a reminder that our enemy is defeated and we are victorious in Jesus! (Colossians 2:13-16)
2. His staff: There are three areas of sheep management in which the staff plays a significant role. 1. Draws the sheep together to enjoy intimate relationships with each other. 2. Delivers a troubled sheep and draws it to himself for intimate examination and comfort. 3. Guidance
Psalm 34:4:I sought (inquired of) the Lord and required Him [of necessity and on the authority of His Word], and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. AMP
Psalm 119:49,50: Remember your promise to me for it is my only hope. Your promise revives me; it comforts me in all my troubles. NLT (Psalm 34:17-19)
It was the rod of God’s word that Jesus, our good Shepherd, used against the enemy and his lies when He was tempted in the desert. It is the same Word of God that will empower us to overcome every temptation and lie of the devil. We can find great comfort in the truth that His word and promise are final authority in every area of our lives.
Your staff comforts me
Just as the rod is symbolic of the word of God, the staff is symbolic of the spirit of God. He was sent to comfort us, strengthen us, and guide us into all truth. (John 16:7-15). It is He who reveals Jesus to us, gives us a revelation of who He is and who we are in Him.
Psalm 94:19: 19 When doubts filled my mind, your comfort gave me renewed hope and cheer NLT
2 Corinthians 1:3-4 All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. 4 He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. NLT