WITH ME

“Death may be the King of terrors ... but Jesus is the King of kings!” (D. L. Moody).

The 23rd Psalm is a trust psalm and a praise psalm. It is one of the most beloved psalms, and one of the most well-known passages in all printed word. The psalmist is mentioned 17 times, and God is referenced 12 times. It, like the entire book, is about a relationship - a relationship between God and me. But in Psalm 23:4, the psalmist especially reveals why this relationship is so important.

The Valley. This is a path filled with danger. The Good Shepherd leads where death is looming. Only the Lord can guide a person through death (cf. Psalm 139:8; Acts 2:31).

Better. Why would a shepherd lead his sheep through a deep, dangerous, and dark valley? He knows something is better on the other side. When the going gets tough, we often want to abandon God. The faithful sheep know something better awaits on the other side of death.

No Fear. “Evil” here should probably be understood as “harm.” God’s presence overcomes fear and anxiety. Whatever this path holds, with God as our Shepherd, we have no fears knowing that God is with us (Mt 6:13).

Comfort. The rod was a weapon to defend against an attacker. It’s the same word used for weapons the soldiers carried into battle. The staff was the “shepherd’s hook” - a long rod with a crook. It was used to reach around a sheep’s neck for discipline and direction. These tools provide comfort because of whose hands they are in - the shepherd is ready to defend and rescue the sheep. God has the spiritual tools to defend and rescue us even in death.

The other day a man said to me, “I’m tired of death,” when we received the news of a friend who had passed. Death is a reality, though. And our friend didn’t have to fear what was coming because he is one of God’s fold. He faced his valley with faith, comforted in the knowledge something better waited for him. The Good Shepherd wants all of us to have that confidence. We can when we follow the Good Shepherd, the Lamb of God. I love you, and He does too.

Corey Sawyers is the preaching minister for the Martin Church of Christ and an adjunct instructor for Bear Valley Bible Institute. He is Melody's husband and Daddy to Garrett (and Bailey), Gordon (and Lauren), and Gannon. Vols and Lady Vols in the Sweet 16!