NEVER ALONE

"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, ESV)

One of the things a good shepherd does is keep his flock out of harm’s way. In trusting Jehovah as his shepherd, to guide him and lead him, David tells us here that he is not afraid of taking the next step in life even if that step takes him through a path that is overcast with a gloomy and bleak shadow like a death shadow.

Walking with the Lord means following His leading day and night and yielding to His guidance. He blesses those who are faithful in so doing with His protective presence so that they can confidently say:  “I will not be afraid for you are close by my side”.

The shepherd’s rod is a short club which the shepherd carries with him for the purpose of fighting off wild animals, thus symbolic of God’s protective presence. The shepherd’s staff is a long stick with a hook-shaped head used for pulling back a straying flock - symbolizes God’s guidance.

The Lord Jesus Christ is our good shepherd: He will never leave you nor forsake you. You are never alone and will never be alone in that thing that you are going through today. The Lord will go through it with you, His rod and His staff will comfort you.

The valley of the shadow of death holds no fear for the man or woman whose shepherd is the Lord!

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