I Will Fear No Evil

Psalm 23:4

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.

...............

I will fear no evil.

When a passage of scripture becomes so familiar, so recognizable, that it fails to impact the reader with the full weight of its meaning ... it helps to get small.

I will fear no evil.

By singling out one phrase, the weight of meaning begins to return. I have not been able to shake these five words all week. So, I'd like to meditate further on this phrase by considering WHERE and HOW we can fear no evil.

Where?
Walking through the valley of the shadow of death.
Matthew Henry's commentary on this passage takes pains to draw out meaning from each word in this statement: walking, through, valley, shadow, death. By doing so, I was reminded that being under the care of my good Shepherd means that I will keep walking and make it through, no matter how deep or long the valley may be. I also know that valleys are places of fruitfulness, so that my difficulties in life will indeed produce some reward. It is also important to note that this encounter with death is a mere shadow - thanks to the promise of eternal life given in Christ and his finished work.

But we should not merely make light of our trials, for they are indeed a heavy burden. So, how can I truly walk through and have no fear?

How?
For you are with me
There are few truths more precious. To know Immanuel is to know "God with us" and there is no other philosophy or religion in the world that dares make the shocking claim that God is both infinite and personal, transcendent and incarnate, creator and humble redeemer. This is no mystical experience of God either. It is the claim that God walked among us in the flesh, in space-time real human history. He was with us, and he continues to dwell with the believer by His Spirit.

But why does this lead me to not fear ANY evil? I mean, life is filled with many fearful things: physical sickness, emotional stress and deep depression, fragile relationships, financial risk, natural disaster, crimes and injustices against self and loved ones (Our fears for our loved ones are perhaps the most sacred to us).

But this passage says we can live without fear of evil, because God is with us. Specifically, the psalmist points to his rod and his staff - further elements of the shepherd metaphor, symbolizing God's protection and direction. Enemies will be destroyed, even when they appear on your doorstep! Answers to prayer will be granted, even if the silence lasts for decades! He promises real protection and direction for his precious children and this brings a comfort so deep that all fear is subsumed.

How can I live in this? Preach it to myself everyday. Call it to mind. Rest in it. Respond to it. Bank on it in my decisions, great and small. If I know God has laid some purpose on my heart - some good deed or plan - how could I let fear get in the way when I know that God is with me!? If God is for us, who can be against us, Paul asked.

I will walk in this way. I will fear no evil - because of the comfort of God's personal protection and direction, and because I know that he is with me. Amen.