Tag Archives: Psal23:4

23rd Psalm – Wed – 22-10-26

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I have a friend who travels a lot for work. Recently he posted about a business trip to New York City. He parked his service truck at a factory and decided to walk four or five blocks to a convenience store for some food, since the store had no truck parking. It was 10 or 11 at night. This was not a good part of town. Many of the locals avoid the streets in this area at night. My friend walked right down the middle of the street to avoid places attackers might lurk. As he walked, he thought of Psalms 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) My friend made it safely to the convenience store and back to his truck.

This verse talks about God’s protection. We fear no evil, because He is with us. The shepherd had a staff to guide the sheep and a rod to beat off thieves or predators. God also has the means to defend us and rescue us. The presence of the Good Shepherd comforts us. Isn’t the promise of God’s presence the same promise Jesus made to us in the Great Commission? He said, “Surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20 NIV) God loves us enough to walk with us through life’s dark places.

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Bumper music “Landing Place” performed by Mark July, used under license from Shutterstock.

Amazing Grace – Wed – 22-10-19

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The third verse of “Amazing Grace” says,

“Through many dangers, toils and snares
I have already come,
‘Tis grace has brought me safe thus far
And grace will lead me home.”

This hymn has been a comfort for many people during hard times. It became a Negro spiritual for slaves in early America. Soldiers in the Civil War also sang it. It was translated into Cherokee and later sung by them on the Trail of Tears.* Today, it is often sung at funerals.

As Psalm 23:4 says, God is with us “through the valley of the shadow of death.” Even though we struggle and suffer, we know God leads us home.

Listen to Jesus’ words in John 14:1-3, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me.  In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” (NIV)

But Jesus does not simply promise us comfort in the future. John 14:26 says he promised to send the Holy Spirit. The King James Version calls him “the Comforter.” Remember, God gives us so much more than just a clean slate. He leads and comforts us through life.

*”Amazing Grace,” Wikipedia, Last updated Sept 9, 2022, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amazing_Grace

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Bumper music “Landing Place” performed by Mark July, used under license from Shutterstock.

Psalm 23 – Thu – 21-10-07

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Psalm 23:4 says, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.”

Have you ever wondered what the valley of the shadow of death is in this Psalm? Many think it  is just a symbolic reference to death itself. It certainly can be. But it is also a reference to an actual valley, the Wadi Qelt.* It is a 17-mile-long, narrow gorge that runs through the mountainous region between Jericho and Jerusalem. The sides are steep, at times just cliffs. Caves can be found in the Wadi as well. It was dangerous because of falls, rock slides and wild animals. It was also home to thieves who hid in the caves. This is where the Good Samaritan was attacked.

The 23rd Psalm pictures sheep who have no fear in the valley because the shepherd is present. His staff guides the sheep and his club is ready to beat off anything that attacks.

When we are cared for by God, we do not fear evil. As Romans 8:31 says, “If God is for us, who can be against us?” And as verse 35 says, “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?”

So, walk close to God and have no fear!

*Don Knebel, “Valley of the Shadow of Death,” http://donknebel.com/2013/06/valley-of-the-shadow-of-death/.

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Bumper music “Landing Place” performed by Mark July, used under license from Shutterstock.