Meditating on "God is our Protector and Comforter"
A Bible Study on Psalm 23:4
I thank you and appreciate you for reading and sharing these blogs that I write.
In the last edition, we explored the phrase ‘God is our Provider.’ (If you haven’t read it, I encourage you to do it.)
Meditating on "God is our Provider"
I am so overwhelmed by the response from you all. I thank you and appreciate you for reading and sharing these blogs that I write. In the last edition, we explored the phrase ‘The Lord is my Shepherd.’ (If you haven’t read it, I encourage you to do it.)
In this edition, we will look at the following verse: Psalm 23:4.
4 Even though I walk
through the darkest valley,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
(Psalm 23:4)
Unlike contemporary songs (Christian songs included), psalms were not written or sung in order to make their writers and composers famous. Rather psalms were the faith experiences of the leaders and people of Israel, written and composed in order to testify the character and works of God to the rest of the people.
While examining Psalm 23, we will find that in the first three verses (23:1-3), life was amazing because of abundance. The shepherd provided food, water, and guidance. Life was lived on a mountain full of abundant greenery.
However, life isn’t always lived on a mountain. Life also consists of valleys. And in the fourth verse of Psalm 23, we encounter such possibility of a valley. Words such as ‘darkest valley’ and ‘evil’ show the presence of bad or evil things. Such words encompass trials and temptations, losses and sicknesses, and anything in between.
A lot of people are afraid of the dark. But this darkness is not the absence of light, this darkness is seemingly the threat of death itself. A cursory glance at the life of David will tell you that his life was marked by death threats by King Saul on multiple occasions.
However, David need not fear even in the midst of such dark valleys because of the assurance that God was with him. You and I have the same assurance. God does not promise the absence of the valleys but His presence in and through them. God’s presence is constant on mountaintops and valleys low. What an amazing God we serve!
The last few words of Psalm 23:4 are but a great comfort and protection. A shepherd used the rod and the staff for different purposes. The rod is primarily used for defense if a wild animal comes. The staff is used to directing the sheep and keeping them from going astray. Some commentators vouch for two separate instruments, while others advocate for one stick used in two diverse ways. Regardless of their view, it is clear that a shepherd protects.
The picture that is painted in this verse is that of protection and discipline. The shepherd protects the sheep from harm, and he disciplines them if they go astray. He does so out of His love.
But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one. (2 Thessalonians 3:3)
For the LORD disciplines those he loves, and he punishes each one he accepts as his child.” (Hebrews 12:6)
Praise God for His protection over us. Praise God for out of His love, He disciplines us.
Application:
How seriously do you take the presence of God in your life? How do you view God’s discipline in your life?
Until next time, keep on feeding the words of our Shepherd.
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Regardless, I appreciate you, my friend!
Beautiful,I wanted to understand what the psalm in general means,thanks for Sharing that the psalm is a testimony to what God can do or what God has done,for people to know.