WHAT DO YOU FEAR?
WHAT DO YOU FEAR? Serious illness? Financial trouble? Not being loved? Rejection? Failure? Events that happen beyond your control? Death? The unknown? In Psalm 23, King David, who had been a shepherd, calmly wrote how about how he dealt with his fears.
He writes, “though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil …”
First, he tells us that fear wouldn’t overtake him regardless of his threatening circumstances.
It is believed that there is actually a valley in Israel called “the Valley of the Shadow of Death.” The location is debatable.
Some believe it is located in a canyon between Jerusalem and Jericho. It is very dangerous to travel through – bandits hide out to rob and commit violence against the unsuspecting. The valley is deep, there are steep cliffs, and it is dark – the only time this area gets sunlight is at 12 noon.
Some believe it is the Kidron Valley. The Kidron Valley separates the Mount of Olives and Jerusalem. This valley has a so much history. This served as a cemetery. Samson is buried there. Samuel is possibly buried there. James is buried there. Absalom is buried there. Later on, the Kidron Valley often served as the trash heap for Jerusalem, and over time, the debris filled up the valley. The valley is where illicit cult objects were destroyed during the much-needed religious reforms of Asa, Hezekiah, and Josiah. The bottom line: it was a spooky place to hang out!
As a shepherd, there were times when David had to take his flock of sheep through the valleys to reach their water supply. Then they would go back up out of the valley. They didn’t want to STAY in the valley, but it was necessary to go there to sustain life -- they needed to reach the water.
Going through the valley was (and is) a certainty of life, but it is a place one passes THROUGH; the valley is not a dead end.
David says, “There are going to be some grave/serious, frightening circumstances through which I must go, but in its end, they lead me to higher ground!”
When I was a young boy, we lived out in the country. Behind our home, we had a very old, abandoned storm cellar on our property. We never used it. It creeped me out. I always thought monsters were inside of it. At best, I knew there were snakes and spiders – INSTANT DEATH if I went down there. I never faced that fear. I never went down there because of what I BELIEVED it was LIKE.
Notice this: It’s not the “valley of death,” it’s the “valley of the shadow of death.” It may feel like death, but it’s not. A shadow is simply an outline of something; it is without substance.
Second, David says fear won’t overtake him because of his trust in the Lord. He proclaims, “for you are with me. Your rod and staff, they comfort me.”
When you place your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, He becomes your Shepherd. He is always with you. As His sheep, you never go through this valley alone – your Shepherd is always with you! The Shepherd never takes the sheep where he himself has not already gone!
Being with you, He provides you protection. He guards over you. The rod is a club-like weapon; it allows the shepherd greater reach; it was an extension of his arm. This symbolizes God’s powerful & protective care over you.
Being with you, He also guides you and helps you in times of trouble. The staff is a green/pliable branch, soaked in water to soften it, and bent over to form a hook. The hook was formed just the right size to fit around the chest of a small sheep and the neck of a large sheep. He would use it to direct the sheep and rescue them when necessary.
THIS IS WHAT GOD WANTS YOU TO KNOW: If you live your life for Him, whether you go through the dark times or dark places, He will always be there! YOU HAVE NOTHING TO FEAR!