Green Pastures

#46 Nov. 15, 2015

2015 Devotional. Our goal for these weekly devotionals is to grow in humility and to grow spiritually by memorizing selected passages, putting them into context, and by applying them to our daily living. These passages are taken from: “100 Verses Every Christian Needs to Know” by Freeman-­‐Smith. All passages are from the NIV.

Psalm 23:4

Even though I walk through the darkest valley,[a] I will fear no evil, for you are with me;
your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

Psalm 23 is a well known passage put to song by many contemporary artists and quoted in many contemporary films. This Psalm of David was meant to be sung and is sung in Hebrew by modern Jews on different occasions as well as quoted at funerals.

For Christians this Psalm is a source of comfort and a confession of faith that God does take care of His people. “I am the Good Shepherd” Jesus says in John 10:11-15 “I lay my life down for the sheep”. Again He says:” I know my sheep and they know me”. Jesus here is equated to God the Father “I am who I am” Ex.3:14-15, I am there for you! God is our Father!

We are asked to memorize v.4. This is a pivotal verse in Psalm 23. Verses 1-3 are pastoral and peaceful, a gentle leading. Verses 5-6 are more like sweet and never ending fellowship with God. Verse 4 is protection from danger, from death, spiritual death. Salvation is by your orientation (faith) if you are keeping your eye on Jesus, the light of life, there is no shadow only light. If you are not facing Jesus you are in the shadow and in danger of death. We “fear no evil for you are with me (us) your rod and your staff they comfort me” (us). God’s “rod” is His “precepts” and is our guide. Are we willing to adhere to them? His staff (the crook) guide our feet and pull us onto the right path and to safety. (Ps. 73: 23-24) This only happens if we are willing to be His sheep by being humble and acknowledging that we do not know the way on our own and are willing to follow His voice. As the rest of the Psalm indicates the blessings of following Jesus are great and forever.

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