A Journey Through Psalm 23 Pt 11

Psalm 23

1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still waters.
3 He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.
4 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.
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life;
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Verse 4 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.

Though I walk THROUGH the valley…

It does not say ‘IF’, it says though. They do come! Dark valleys are UNAVOIDABLE, UNPREDICTABLE & IMPARTIAL.

The greatest, the only real, preservative from fear is the realisation of His presence.

"I will fear no evil: for You are with me"

• ‘Presence’ in the Old Testament was "GOD FOR US." 
• In the Gospels it is "GOD WITH US." 
• In the Acts of the Apostles and in the Epistles it is "GOD IN US."

I can boldly say, I am under the expert management, and compassionate, tender care of the Good Shepherd!