Psalm 23
"The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake.
Yea, 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.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the LORD Forever."
This beautiful song--psalm--about our Jesus is one of my all-time favorites. How Jesus loves and cares for us so tenderly. He sees to our every need!
Notice how the focus changes from the "LORD" is my Shepherd, to yea, though "I walk?" Do you see it? It changes from me focusing on JESUS to me being focused on ME. But thank God, it's only the "SHADOW" of death, not of death itself. The shadow of a snake never killed anyone. This is a non-fatal trial of my own making.
Whether I am resting in and totally relying on Jesus' care and provision for me OR taking matters into my own, VERY INCAPABLE hands, He will NEVER EVER leave me or forsake me. The good news is I need not fear any evil for He is ALWAYS with me every step of the way, even if the "valley of the shadow," is of my own making.
"Your rod and Your staff they comfort me" that used to confuse me. Some well-meaning preacher somewhere along the way mistakenly taught that "the rod" was God punishing me. Church, our good Daddy doesn't punish us. He gently, lovingly guides, directs and lovingly disciplines for our benefit! The Good Shepherd, Who gave His life for the sheep, is not the Author of sickness, disease or accidents. He doesn't give us these things to teach us a lesson as some may have hinted from the pulpit.
Whether I am resting in and totally relying on Jesus' care and provision for me OR taking matters into my own, VERY INCAPABLE hands, He will NEVER EVER leave me or forsake me. The good news is I need not fear any evil for He is ALWAYS with me every step of the way, even if the "valley of the shadow," is of my own making.
Enemies of the sheep, different story. They're the ones that need to fear! They're the ones the shepherd attacked with His rod and staff when they attempted to harm His flock. That's why the rod and staff are a comfort!
Oh, yes: our Jesus is always with us, guiding, providing and protecting. Yes even, and especially, in the Valley of the Shadow.
Oh, yes: our Jesus is always with us, guiding, providing and protecting. Yes even, and especially, in the Valley of the Shadow.
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