THE LORD IS THERE
By Donnie Swaggart
Psalms 23:4 — “Yea, 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.” Last month we dealt with Verses 1-3 of this great Psalm. As I brought out last month, this Psalm is written from the perspective of the sheep rather than the Shepherd. We are shown in this Psalm how much the Shepherd (Jesus Christ) loves and cares for the sheep. Never forget that everything the Lord does is for us.
“YEA, THOUGH I WALK THROUGH THE VALLEY OF THE SHADOW OF DEATH”
This part of the Verse plainly tells us that the Believer is going to have to endure valley experiences. Those journeys through the valley come through many different events: sickness, oppression, etc. These journeys are not pleasant, but they are necessary for our growth in spiritual matters. The term “shadow of death” refers to the “powers of darkness” that are unleashed against us to steal, kill, and destroy (Jn. 10:10). The word “shadow” means “calamity.” The idea is, through the powers of darkness, we are brought into a state of deep distress or misery; a grave event marked by great loss, great distress, and affliction. This is what David experienced many times in his life and what some of you are going through right now.
“WALK THROUGH”
However, I want you to notice that though we all have to make this journey, we don’t have to take up residence in the valley. This plainly tells us that we will make it through to the other side. Whatever you are going through, take heart, it’s not going to last forever. “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning” (Ps. 30:5).
“I WILL FEAR NO EVIL”
Why does David not fear the “powers of darkness”? Because, “for You are with me.” The Lord is ever with the Child of God, good times or bad times. The circumstances of our life at any moment are ever attended to by the Lord. He is our Shepherd, He is our Protector, He is our Comfort, He is our Peace, He is our Rest. At times it may seem that the Lord is far away but the Word says, “You are with me.”
“YOUR ROD AND YOUR STAFF, THEY COMFORT ME”
The pronouns “You” and “Your” present the Lord as “Jehovah Shammah” meaning, “the Lord is there.” No doubt, in a time of distress you have wondered, “Where is the Lord?” Well, the answer is, “the Lord is there” in the midst of your problem, in the midst of the valley, “He is there.” David said: “If I ascend up into Heaven, You are there: if I make my bed in Hell, behold, You are there” (Ps. 139:8). The Lord is not going to abandon us. He is not going to let the wolves and jackals Satan sends destroy us; He is going to help us. He is going to protect us. He is going to preserve us, for “He is there” with us. The writer of Hebrews affirmed this great Promise: “For He has said, I will never leave you, nor forsake you” (Heb. 13:5). The Greek actually says, “He Himself has said,” meaning the Lord Jesus Himself has personally made this Promise. What a promise for each of us to know, “The Lord is there.”
