Thursday, May 3, 2012
Psalm 23:4 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.
THE GOOD SHEPHERD PROTECTS
The "valley of the shadow of death" could also be translated as the "darkest valley" or "the darkest shadow." Darkness is a time of fear for prey and a time of opportunity for predators. Here again we are aptly described as sheep. Like sheep, we don't have any natural defenses against our enemies. Sheep are neither fast nor strong. They don't have sharp teeth, sharp claws, quills, or a hard shell. You also are a sheep.
We might think, for example, that intelligence would be a good defense for us against our spiritual enemies. Not so. I'm amazed at the developments in computers and medical science, building and engineering. Yet we also find that people of great intelligence will inject all sorts of chemicals into their bodies for a high. We give in to peer pressure very, very easily at every age. Satan is very cunning and knows what buttons to push. We know that we cannot stand up very long to our enemies who want to destroy our souls. We fall into temptations daily. Yet you can say, "I will fear no evil."
Say that with confidence because Jesus is with you. I love this picture of the rod and the staff because in it we see Jesus not only fighting off our enemies, but also saving us from ourselves. The rod is like a cudgel and could be used like a club to fight off predators. He uses that against the devil and the world. The staff had the crook on the end and could haul back a sheep from danger. Both are needed. When I wander off, Jesus hauls me back. When I am attacked, there is My Shepherd fighting for me. Even in the worst times of danger there is no need to fear because Jesus is right there.
