October 18th

Through the Valley

Psalm 23:4
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.

The Good Shepherd

The picture of the LORD being the Shepherd of His people is painted in both the Old Testament as well as the New Testament. One particular Old Testament Scripture says that He is our God, and that we are the sheep of His pasture. Another verse says that all we, like sheep, have gone astray. In the New Testament, Jesus calls Himself the Good Shepherd, who gives His life for the sheep, and Peter refers to Jesus as the Shepherd of your souls.

Jehovah Ra-ah

In fact, the LORD my Shepherd, or Jehovah Ra-ah, is one of the seven redemptive names of Jehovah, one of the seven unchanging names of God that reveal His ability and desire to meet every need of man. Man needs a Shepherd to lead him through his life in this world.

I Will Fear No Evil

The Shepherd is the one who leads and guides the sheep, and provides pasture and safety for the sheep. In this verse in Psalm 23:4, David is likening himself to a sheep, and expressing his trust in the Shepherd. Even though he is passing through the valley of the shadow of death, he declares that he will fear no evil. Why is he not afraid? Because the Shepherd has led him there, and He is with him in that valley.

Beyond the Valley

Why would the LORD, the Good Shepherd, lead his sheep through such a place as the valley of the shadow of death? He would do so simply to get the sheep to a better place, a place on the other side of the valley. Sometimes we have must pass through places we would rather not go through in life, so that we can reach a better place beyond it. The LORD does not put bad things on His people, but He may lead us through some unpleasant places in life to get us to the green pastures and the still waters on the other side.

Thy Rod and They Staff

But the comfort is in knowing that the LORD is leading us through the valley, and that He is present to comfort and protect. It says, "Your rod and your staff, they comfort me." The same rod that comforts the sheep will beat a wolf to death. The sheep is safe.

Look to the Good Shepherd today. Know that He is with you, to protect you, and to get you safely to the other side of the valley. Trust in Him. Be comforted by His presence. He is a very present help in time of need.