Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I shall fear no evil, for You are with ME;
You rod and your staff, they comfort ME.

(continued)

The love and grace of God shown forth in Jesus – our Good  Shepherd – is molding into our lives the characteristics of Psalm 23.  His hand of Love (Psalm 22) and His hand of Hope (Psalm 24) are molding Faith, Obedience and Abundant Life within us.  So far we have looked at five characteristics.

Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I shall fear no
evil; for You are with ME.

At this point in Psalm 23 the relationship between the sheep and the shepherd becomes personal.  It is no longer the shepherd as – HE (talking about the Lord).  Now it is the shepherd as – YOU (talking to the Lord). 

The sheep’s real assurance begins to show as the shepherd begins to guide them up into the high country for summer grazing.  The shepherd will be their only savior – to see them through their summer grazing and bring them back down to the lower elevations in the late fall.

David knew this fact well.  Many times he had led his flock through the valley of the shadow of death: the wild country with dangers on all sides – flash floods, avalanches, poisonous plants, wild animals, hail, sleet storms, snow.

He had cared for his sheep – protected them amidst all such threats.  His sheep knew no fear because David was at their side.

Here it is also that David and we as the sheep of Jesus can say with assurance, “I shall fear no evil; for You are with ME.”  Your Good Shepherd is with you in every potentially fearful situation, every dark trial, in every disappointment, every distress.

In the Christian life we many times speak of wanting to move to higher ground with God – have those Mountain Top Experiences.  But to receive Mountain Top Experiences takes climbing up through the valleys.  It takes a confident consistent walk with our Good Shepherd – Jesus.

Phillip Keller shares three reasons why sheep are taken to the mountaintop by way of the valleys.

1. It is simply the gentlest grade to the top.  The shepherd leads his sheep gently but persistently up the paths that wind through the dark valleys.  It is important to note that the verse says, “Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death.”  It does not say I die there, or stop there.

Customarily we think of this verse at a physical death.  Death for the Christian is not the end but merely the door into a higher place with our Good Shepherd.  Death is but the dark valley opening out into an eternity of delight with our God.  It is not something to fear.

Jesus – your Good Shepherd knows the joy that awaits you at the end of all the dark valleys of life He leads you through – even the last valley – your physical death.

Phillip Keller came to personally know this comfort.  For two years he and his wife walked through a dark valley called “Cancer.”  His wife was dying of it.  But as they together experienced that walk – they both were at peace and aware that Jesus, their Good Shepherd, was present.  There was no fear – just a going to a higher ground.

Do you have the assurance in your Good Shepherd to say, “Thank you Lord for being with me through the difficult times – I know You are with me and leading me on the gentlest grade to the top?”

2. It is the best path for finding refreshing water.  The flock gets thirsty as they climb the grade.  The valley has many sources of pure water: rivers, streams, springs and quiet pools.  

As Christians, we soon realize that in the valleys we need the refreshing Spirit of God.  Phillip Keller shares how the refreshing, living Holy Spirit of God comforted him during his wife’s illness, death and after.  This is so important that our Good Shepherd, through Paul, in Ephesians 5:18 commands us to be refreshed – controlled by the Holy Spirit.

3. It is the best path for finding the pastures needed for the sheep to survive on their way to the top.  The good grazing land is usually next to a stream so the sheep can be fully nourished.  

When you are in a dark valley where do you look for sustenance?  Where you look will make a big difference.  Do you look to the Word of God for strength, courage and assurance?  Feed on the Word of God – drink in the Spirit of God and even though surrounded by cliffs, threats of danger, you will grain the assurance that your Good Shepherd has everything under control.  You can relax in His loving care.

God has not promised us a rose garden without thorns.  There are going to be valleys in life for all of us.  Our Good Shepherd assures us that “in this world you shall have tribulation:” but He adds – “be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

ASSURANCE for you is – “Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I shall fear no evil; for You are with ME.”

Your rod and Your staff, they comfort ME.

David as he tended or led his sheep carried a rod and a staff.  Each was a comfort to the sheep because they were symbols and also instruments of protection and care.

The rod was a club about two or three feet long with a round knob on the end. The rod – club of David’s day served four purposes.

1. It was a symbol of Authority to the sheep.  For you, a Christian sheep, the Word of God is Jesus’ Rod of Authority.  We actually call it “the sword of the Spirit.”

2. It was an instrument of Discipline.  The shepherd would throw the rod at a sheep who was causing trouble or straying off – they would settle down or scramble back.

Here the Word of God is Jesus’ Rod of Discipline for you.  It cuts deep to your heart – correcting and reproving you.  Thus, through continued repentance you walk in Jesus’ way.

3. It was an instrument of Examination.  Used to poke at the wool of a sheep – lay it back – to examine its condition.

Here the Word of God is Jesus’ Rod of Examination for you.  Psalm 139:23-24 states its function, “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”

4. It was an instrument of Protection.  The shepherd’s skilled use of the rod saved many sheep from predators: coyotes, wolves, bears, lions, dogs.

For you the Word of God used skillfully by Jesus, your Good Shepherd, is your Protection.  You must learn to receive it and use it against every attack of Satan.  

The Staff of David’s day served three purposes.

1. It was used to draw the sheep together.  It was a long, slender stick with a hooked end and was used to lift newborn lambs who had wandered off – back to their mother.  

For you, a Christian – the Holy Spirit of God is your Staff continually drawing you into deeper fellowship with Him.

2.     It was used to guide sheep.  The shepherd would press the end of the Staff to the side of a sheep – thus giving him direction.  

Scripture clearly says that the Holy Spirit has been sent as your guiding Staff in life.  He leads you into all truth.  As St. Paul says in Galatians 5:25, “…let us… walk orderly by the Spirit.”

3. It is used to rescue lost sheep.  Some sheep continually wandered away into dangerous territory.  They may have climbed down steep cliffs and then the shepherd had to use the hook of his staff to lift them to safety.

You may get into jams – endangering your life and then your Good Shepherd comes to you with His tender Holy Spirit – lifting you to safety.

The sheep are assured of the shepherd’s presence by his Rod and Staff.  And we of the flock of Jesus, clearly will know the comfort of HIS PRESENCE through His Rod (Word of God) and Staff (Holy Spirit).

HIS PRESENCE for you is – “Your rod and Your staff, they comfort ME.”

See how He loves you.  You are a sheep of Jesus – marked with the Cross in your Baptism and Faith.  And He is committed to molding the characteristics of Psalm 23 into your life – because He loves you!