Wednesday Devo
Scripture:
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.
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.
Commentary:
23:4 The shadow of death may be the shadow that death casts, or it may be, as the ESV footnote has it, “deep darkness.” Perhaps the idea is that in a valley in the desert (or wadi) in Judah one can encounter deep shadows, and cannot know for sure who (bandits) or what (animals, flash floods) lurks in them; even in such periods of suspense and danger, the faithful find assurance that God is with them, and thus they need not fear.
Crossway Bibles, The ESV Study Bible (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2008), 966.
Crossway Bibles, The ESV Study Bible (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2008), 966.
Questions:
- To David, the valley of the shadow of death meant being surrounded, hedged in, ultimate defeat and evil. And yet, David says that in those moments of fear and uncertainty, he will fear no evil. Why? Because "YOU are with me." Did you notice that? in the first three verses, God was referred to as "He." And now, in the valley, David says "You." Somewhere in the valley, David went from HE to YOU. There was a shift in proximity, an increase in intimacy. What is he telling us? When you face your dark valley, the Lord draws close to you, and you have no reason to fear. Have you ever been in a valley where you were aware of the Father's closeness to you? Has suffering in your life ever led you to a more intimate relationship with Jesus? How can you grow in the midst of the valley?
- It's interesting that David talked about the Lord leading him on paths of righteousness, but then he ends up in the valley of the shadow of death. Wait, what? Could it be that, even though we walk with Jesus, we WILL walk through a valley or two? Absolutely. Jesus promised us that we would have trouble. Do you find it difficult to accept the fact that following Jesus and being faithful could still lead to pain and suffering in your life? Does it make you trust God less or more?
Pray:
- That you would draw close to Him in the valley.
- That you would learn to trust Him in the valley.
This Week's City 7:
Try to commit to memory!
1. Who is Jesus? I believe Jesus is God because Jesus said He is God and proved it by rising from the dead and appearing to His disciples, His brother James, 500 others at one time, and Paul.
(Mark 3:21; John 8:58, 10:30-33, 14:9-11; Acts 9:1-6; 1 Corinthians 15:3-8; Colossians 1:15-20; Hebrews 1:2-3; James 1:1)
(Mark 3:21; John 8:58, 10:30-33, 14:9-11; Acts 9:1-6; 1 Corinthians 15:3-8; Colossians 1:15-20; Hebrews 1:2-3; James 1:1)
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