The LORD Is My Shepherd: [3] Protection A Four-Part Series on Psalm 23 Psalm 23:4

Psalm 23 [ESV] 1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. 3 He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. 4 Even 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.

Psalm 23 [ESV] 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

TWO KINDS OF ‘DEATH VALLEY” [SUFFERING] IN LIFE SELF-INFLICTED SUFFERING: caused by our own sin and failures (Gal. 6:7-8; Numbers 32:23).  It’s avoidable.  It’s our fault.  BUT we can still turn to the Shepherd—he is there with us, desiring to guide and protect us. PROVIDENTIAL SUFFERING: caused by God’s providential will (Rom. 8:28-29).  It’s inevitable.  It’s God’s providence [i.e., there is a purpose in it.]  AND the Shepherd is at work——he is there with us, desiring to guide and protect us.

THREE BENEFITS THAT ‘DEATH VALLEY” [SUFFERINGS] BRING TO US It breaks our self-reliance (Matt. 5:3).  Because of distrust/autonomy  Because of stubborn self-will. It draws us to our dependence on God (Psalm 119:67, 71).  Increased felt-need for God’s guidance/protection.  Changed attitude in following God’s guidance. 67 Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I obey your word. 71 It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn your statutes. Psalm 119:67,71

THREE BENEFITS THAT ‘DEATH VALLEY” [SUFFERINGS] BRING TO US It molds us to be used by God (2 Cor 1:4).  Our pain breaks, melts, and molds us to be a vessel of God.  God’s comfort and our character become our tool in serving others. It is doubtful whether God can use a man greatly, until first He wounds him deeply. A. W. Tozer

HOW DOES THE SHEPHERD GUIDE US THROUGH “DEATH VALLEY”? 1)HIS PRESENCE: hence, there is NO NEED TO FEAR. Even 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 (v.4).  The valley of shadow of death was a part of the sheep- shepherd imagery—i.e., a dark valley inducing fear and terror of danger and death.  Who led David there? It’s the Shepherd leading him to righteousness for his honor and glory.  BUT the Shepherd’s presence is there with/for us.  If the Shepherd is with us, then there is NO NEED TO FEAR. After all, the caring Shepherd is the Almighty, Most High God.

For he has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." 6 So we can confidently say, "The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?" Hebrews 13:5b-6

HOW DOES THE SHEPHERD GUIDE US THROUGH “DEATH VALLEY”? 2) HIS PROTECTION: hence, there is NO HARM DONE. Even 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 (v.4).  The protection of the Shepherd is not mere physical—it is also emotional and spiritual protection (Psalm 56:3).  The promise of protection is twofold: (1) “I will protect you from danger”; (2) I will protect beyond death.  This means: the Shepherd protects us from harms with tangible care—even if the worst happens to us!  If the Shepherd protects us, then there is NO HARM DONE— IN CHRIST—EVEN IN DEATH.

After calming the sea he said, “Why are you afraid?” Not because Christians never drown. But they are safe in drowning. John Piper 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39

HOW DOES THE SHEPHERD GUIDE US THROUGH “DEATH VALLEY”? 3)HIS COMFORT: hence, there is NO SORROW WITHOUT HOPE. Even 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 (v.4).  The staff was a long slender pole primarily used to save the sheep from a ditch—occasionally used to bring back the sheep to the flock by tapping on their back.  The rod was a shorter club used to fight any wild beasts coming near the sheep; but it was NEVER used on the sheep!  The comfort is twofold: (1) the caring guidance/correction and deliverance and (2) the protection from the Evil One.  If the Shepherd comforts us, then there is NO SORROW WITHOUT HOPE.

We are treated as impostors, and yet are true; 9 as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as punished, and yet not killed; 10 as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing everything. 2 Corinthians 6:8b-10

PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS FOR OUR EVERYDAY LIFE 1.Be THANKFUL FOR THE SUFFERING that you’re currently experiencing.  Remember God’s work in leading you to righteousness.  Remember God’s work in preparing you to be used by God. 2.TURN YOUR FEAR INTO CONFIDENCE in God’s presence and protection.  Do not fear because God is with you, protecting for you.  Be humbly confident in God’s power and favor on you. 3. Ask for and rely on GOD’S COMFORT one day at a time.  Be comforted by God’s caring guidance.  Be comforted by God’s caring protection.