Good Friday, April 18 Psalm 23:4

Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

A PSALM OF CONFIDENCE

Psalm 23 is one of the many references in the Bible that call God and Jesus our shepherd. Jesus is called and refers to himself as the Good Shepherd. There is a beautiful little book written by W. Phillip Keller called A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23. In it the author really fleshes out how God`s love for his children corresponds to the care a shepherd gives his sheep.

What characteristics might we share with sheep? Sheep don`t thrive well without a shepherd to lead them, provide for their physical needs and keep them safe from predators and dangerous situations. As children of God we have the same needs and they are met for the most part through the Word of God and prayer.

In verses 1, 2 and 6 God is referred to in the third person,“the Lord is my Shepherd.” In verses 3, 4 and 5 the conversation becomes more intimate, the psalmist referring to God as “you.” I find that to be a profound change since it really emphasizes our personal relationship to God right here right now, rather than God somewhere out there.

In dark and dangerous situations, the shepherd uses his rod and staff to protect and guide the sheep, using the rod to ward off predators and the staff to grab the sheep by the neck and pull it to safety. The Lord our shepherd is not a passive shepherd, but one who loves us, cares for us and upon whom we rely to keep us safe in the dark and difficult experiences of life.

Perhaps the most meaningful and significant thing to take away from this psalm and in particular verse 4 is that the writer is not offering a prayer asking for what he needs but is testifying to the truth that because God is with him, he has no fear. This is a psalm of confidence, not of fear and want.

Good and gracious God, thank you for loving and caring for me and being a constant, comforting presence with me especially in times when I am challenged and afraid. Amen

Cheryl Hoops

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