5^th February

“Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside. Your rod and Your staff protect and comfort me.”

Psalm 23:4 

Yesterday we learnt how the Lord promised through this wonderful psalm, to walk with us through our darkest valleys. God promised that He would protect and comfort us with His rod and staff. Yet how does this imagery translate in to our modern ideology?

David knew that when his flock were in danger, he had his staff to protect and rescue them. Interestingly the design of shepherd’s staff had a hook at one end. This was primarily used to reach sheep that had fallen and pull them up or out. It was also used stop the sheep from going near poisonous brambles and thorny bushes. The rod was also used to direct the sheep or to keep them in line. David knew that his own rod and staff was there to protect and watch over his flock. Yet he uses the same imagery when describing how God looked after and delivered him.

David’s life was full of trials, persecutions, and journeys into unknown territories. Yet throughout his life he learned to be in full trust of an Almighty God who looked after him just as he looked after his own sheep. God does not change and His promises are as true today as they were for David. He leads us with His rod, rescues and delivers us with His staff and guides us through life’s darkest valleys.

Speaking from my own experience whilst living a life of rebellion, I can truly say that at my darkest hour, when Christ reached out to me as my Good Shepherd, I reached onto His loving staff and He pulled me out of the hole I had dug my self into. God is merciful and its not to late to grab His staff too and let Him pull you out of the hole you find yourself in and re-direct your path.

4^th February

“Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside. Your rod and Your staff protect and comfort me.”

Psalm 23:4

 What a wonderful passage and promise. These words are as true today as there were for David. They are words of comfort, peace and promise.

David, in verse 4, continues in his description of the Lord as his Shepherd. We have heard in the preceding verses that God was his Provider and Protector. In today’s verse we learn about the sovereignty of an Almighty, Caring and Personal God.

David knew all too well of the dangers that waited in the perilous dark valleys as he tended his father’s flock. Most certainly the flock of sheep must have wandered to places that were dangerous and treacherous for not only sheep but for men too. Yet he took comfort in knowing that God was with him.

The great thing is, is that no matter where we find ourselves, whatever dangers face us, God is there to protect us. That dark valley may not always come in the literal form. It may be a situation where there seems to be no hope, no light at the end of the tunnel or no way out. Yet whatever it is, know this: that God is with you. David was sure that God was always there and took comfort in knowing that God walked with him through the valley. God may not always give us an easy route out of a hard situation. However, what we can be certain of, is that no matter where or what situation we face, He is “close beside” us. His rod of protection, deliverance and comfort helps us know that when we are in the darkest valley, we need not be afraid. It’s a promise. God is with us, to protect and comfort us! If you are walking through the darkest valley, take courage and know that God is lighting your path and walking close beside you.

3^rd February

“The Lord is my Shepherd; I have all that I need. He lets me rest in green meadows; He leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths bringing honour to His Name.”

Psalm 23:1-3

How often do we take for granted what God has given us? In this western world, we can simply turn on a tap and water comes out or stand under a shower of flowing hot water; a luxury that is so often overlooked in our prayers of thankfulness.

Yet our God is so much more than a provider of our physical needs. In fact He is all we need! Jesus in Luke chapter 15 tells us the story of the lost sheep. He explains that God cares about every individual so much that he pursues us with His tender love and care. Even if we find ourselves lost in the wilderness, He still chases after us, as a shepherd does for his lost sheep. When we are found He rejoices with great gladness. The picture of that lost sheep on top of his master’s shoulders highlights the Good Shepherd we serve; a Shepherd that never gives us on his sheep.

The role of a shepherd is not just to protect his sheep from danger, as we heard about yesterday but it is also to provide for a sheep’s every need. They have nothing but to rely on the shepherd’s provision. If the land is dry and famished then it’s a shepherd’s role to lead them to pastures new. His job is to shear their wool in the right season. Just as a sheep has no other option than to rely on his shepherd in order to survive, so we must fully rely on our Provider, Jesus the Good Shepherd. If you are lost in wilderness, shout out to Jesus and grab onto His loving staff. Let Him lead to green pastures and peaceful streams. Remember He is our everything! He is all we need and more!

2^nd February

  “The Lord is my Shepherd; I have all that I need. He lets me rest in green meadows; He leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths bringing honour to His Name.”

Psalm 23:1-3

 In today’s passage, we are reminded of God’s all sufficient provision and care for us, His sheep. David knew all too well what the role of a shepherd was. Before he became King, this was his occupation. His primary role was to tend for his father’s flock in the fields.

In the first book of Samuel, in chapter 17, the Israelites are confronted with an enemy that simply could not be beaten. His name was Goliath: a Philistine champion from Gath. He stood over nine feet tall, was a true warrior ready for battle and ready to fill the Israelites with fear and destroy anyone who confronted him. All the Israelite warriors were so fearful that no one wanted to fight him, then even ran away at his taunts.

However there was one man bold and brave enough to face this giant: David, the shepherd. He explains to King Saul that in his job he had encountered many enemies. “I have been taking care of my father’s sheep and goats…. When a lion or a bears comes to steal a lamb from the flock, I go after it with a club and rescue the lamb from its mouth.” David was so confident in God’s mighty power (as he had experienced so many times before), that he was sure that God would protect him from Goliath. He had no hesitation to face and eventually defeat Israel’s enemy!

The same is with us today. God is our Shepherd; he protects us and watches over us. If we are need He comes to our rescue. If we are in danger, He fights for us. All we need to do is trust in His victory and not in our circumstance. We are sheep in His flock and we can trust that He will protect us because He has already won the battle. Be confident in God’s mighty power. Let your Goliath tremble at the sight of your Good Shepherd!