“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)

As a boy David had learned his responsibilities in the tasks assigned by His father, who had him tending sheep as a shepherd. When he took a meal to his brothers as they were fighting the Philistines under King Saul, the Philistines had sent out their champion, a giant named Goliath. The men under Saul did not step up to fight the giant. David did. He set out his qualifications for the battle from his experience as a shepherd. “But David said to Saul, “Your servant has been keeping his father’s sheep. When a lion or a bear came and carried off a sheep from the flock, I went after it, struck it and rescued the sheep from its mouth. When it turned on me, I seized it by its hair, struck it and killed it. Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God.” (1 Samuel 17:34-35) David did kill Goliath with his skills as a shepherd.

With the knowledge of a shepherd, He would write, “The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing.” (Psalm 23:1) His absolute confidence in God is expressed in this simple statement. God is the one who provides everything. All that is needed in life comes from his LORD and nothing is lacking, in good times as well as bad. In the good times, “He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul.” (Psalm 23: 2-3a) In the bad times, “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 23:3) In these dark and difficult days, the tools of the shepherd are used. The rod was a tool used in the protection of the sheep. When we walk with God, he provides for us His protection. “For the LORD gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. He holds success in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones.” (Proverbs 2:6-8) The staff was used to lead the sheep. “Lead me, LORD, in your righteousness because of my enemies— make your way straight before me.” (Psalm 5:8)

In the New Testament, Jesus says, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” (John 10:11) He is the one who will provide everything, He will protect us. He will lead us. He has given His all for us as He took our sin and died our death, that we may have life, because He conquered death. Jesus said, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.” (John 10:27-30) We have a good shepherd who will be with us through everything. If we will listen, He will lead us through the darkest valley then take us to the quiet water and will restore our soul, comforting us through it all. May we follow the Good Shepherd.

In the Love of Jesus,

Michael Block