Imagine finding comfort in the midst of life’s most challenging moments.  When darkness surrounds you, shadows lurk, and fear threatens to consume your heart, there is a source of comfort that can calm your soul.  In Psalm 23:4, we discover a profound message that offers hope, reminding us that even in the face of adversity, we need not fear.  This video will reveal the power of this verse, that can work in your life, starting right now.

The verse reads: “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 23:4).

Here we see the image of a shepherd leading his sheep through a dark and treacherous valley where the shadow of death is present and real fear is all around us.   It’s a steep valley, where the trail is narrow and we feel hemmed in and trapped, the same way we may feel when we face the trials and tribulations of life, where we might be tempted to give in to fear and despair.

Of course, we know that shadows cannot hurt us.   The shadow of a wolf cannot bite us, the shadow of a gun cannot shoot us, and the shadow of death cannot destroy us.  But lingering in nearby dark shadows, danger lurks and we know it.  We hear of wars and rumors of war.  We are warned about Covid, the next virus, recession, inflation, and political angst – all real, all dark, shadowy, and potentially worrisome issues.   And yet. . .

And yet indeed.  For we are not walking into the valley of death, but rather we see it’s shadows as we walk THROUGH that valley with our eyes fixed on Jesus, our Shepherd, who leads us.   When our eyes are watching our strong Shepherd, we will fear no evil.  And why not?

Because you God, are with me.  Notice how, as this Psalm turns from talking about green pastures and quiet waters into a time of danger, how the shepherd, turns from the third person, “He” to the second person, “You.”  Watch this incredible personal change of tense as we DO NOT READ, “I will fear no evil, for HE IS WITH ME” but instead we say, “I will fear no evil, for YOU ARE WITH ME.”   Yes, God has a personal relationship with us.   It’s not “he’s my God” but instead, “You are my God.”

And finally, we see how the shepherd’s rod and staff comfort us.  While we know this can ward off enemies, even more so, we’ve experienced how the shepherd gently uses this tool to nudge us toward safety.  To keep us on the path.  To correct us when it is needed – but all because our shepherd loves us.

So here we are, in the very heart of this great Psalm 23, where we experience something God wants us to see throughout the Bible. “I will fear no evil, for You are with me.”  Yes – you are with me.  And aren’t these the very last words that Jesus spoke on earth, “I am with you always” (~Matthew 28:20).  For God is with me.

Isn’t our God amazing.  Let’s say it out loud together.  “God is with me.”  We hope you’ll like, subscribe and comment “God is with me!”  Then, please join us on one of our next recommended videos, Psalm 23 verse 5, called, “My Cup Overflows” or watch our overview of Psalm 23 called, “Psalm 23 Explained – You’ll Never Read It The Same Way Again.”  And if you’d like to have our free, daily Psalm devotional series sent direct to you, visit PsalmsAreAlive.org.  We’ll see you in the next video!