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 New King James Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982), Ps 23:4.
Psalm 23:4 has been the scripture of focus for two days in a row. Each devotion looks from a different perspective at the scripture.
The first view comes from a phrase that many of us have heard. The phrase goes something like this: “There can be no valleys without mountains.” If you haven’t heard the phrase or something very similar before it may come as anticlimactic. However, as you reflect on what seems to be such a simple truth you may begin to see the spiritual parallels.
Spiritual lessons are mostly learned in the valleys of our lives. This is the place where we live life in the shadow of the mountain and struggle with circumstances. We navigate encounters with other people and rise to the challenge of being ambassadors for Christ. We are tested in the valley as we strive to rise to a short lived period on the mountain top. We praise God as we cherish our mountain top experience and reflect on the events that brought us there. We know that our descent into the valley is coming so we have to be careful not to focus on that instead of celebrating where we are.
The second perspective is one of focus. Psalm chapter 23 verses 1 through 3 focuses on God, using the pronoun He. His ability and provision are noted and it’s all for His name’s sake. He is speaking to the reader and referring to God in third person. Verse 4 momentarily shifts to selfish focal point and David’s circumstances. However, he notes that God is with him and fear has no dominion when God is the shepherd. The focus immediately turns to praise as David addresses God as “You”. David is speaking directly to God as he praises His provision and protection. It is personal.
In reflection and in reference to verse 1, the question has to be asked; is God my shepherd and is my shepherd, God?