Psalm 23:4 March 9, 2009

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 knowledge of the Lord’s abiding presence is the central focus of this verse. The greatest fear that rules the hearts of men is the fear of death and pain. The context of this passage speaks to our hearts that even when the very worst of man’s fears is hovering over the horizon we do not have to be dominated by that fear of evil. What is powerfully contrasted in this verse is the difference between death and evil. For the believer death is a victorious passing not a fearful impending judgment or uncertainty of future state.
The word of God is very clear about the eternal reward of those who live in the presence of God. The apostle Paul went as far as to say in Phil 1:21 “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain,” and in Phil 1:23, “I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far;” Paul had faced death on many occasions, even being stoned and apparently resurrected in Acts 14:19-20. They left him for dead and after the disciples gathered around him he got up and returned to the city and then left the next day. Truly that had to be a miraculous restoration for even if he was only mostly dead, without supernatural intervention he would not have been well enough to simply travel on to the next city by the following day after being stoned. Even though Paul has been on the edge of death he is still confident of the reality of his eternal home. He is speaking about the joyful nature of death and is not in any way fearful or uncertain about what is waiting for him on the other side of death. “To die is gain!” This is such a revelation for those who can get a hold of it. Paul doesn’t fear death – he longs for it! What a contrast with the heart that does not understand the power of the resurrection.
When I am with God, living in the knowledge of his presence, I do not have to fear evil. What a promise for those who know their God; freedom from fear! David expounds on the nature of this peace. Instead of focusing on the bad things that may happen in the midst of his circumstances he is focused on the shepherding heart of God that watches over his life. “Your rod and your staff they comfort me.” David’s eyes are focused on the dealings of the Lord, not the workings of evil men. His comfort is in God’s faithful ways towards him. The shepherd’s rod was used as a tool for protection and for guiding the sheep. David’s comfort is in the knowledge that the Lord’s guiding protection is over his life and that even though evil is about, his great shepherd is watching over him to deliver. Our comfort is in the knowledge that the Lord is with us and that we belong to him.