Psalm 23:4 “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,”
[Such walks will come: I have been faced with physical death, with death of a vision and death to self: difficult, painful, unpleasant and dark times. You allow them, however, for good, the greatest two being my giving you glory through trust and my growth in grace. And you have other reasons beyond my understanding; I can trust you as you lead me through the darkness.]
“I will fear no evil, for you are with me;”
[Evil is there in both presence and potential, but I need not fear it, for you are with me, you, my Great and Good Shepherd who is my Rock, my Fortress and my Deliverer. When you are there, what grounds do I have for fear? You are over all and in control of all, our great Ruler. I praise you for your faithful and powerful presence, full of wisdom and grace, love and firmness.]
“your rod and your staff, they comfort me.’
[With your rod, you hold our enemies at bay. You rule with a rod of iron; no one can defeat you in battle: “there is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the Lord” (Prov. 21:30). Therefore I need not fear.
And with your staff, you guide me, correct me, bring me back to the path when I wander off your way. It is my nature (old self) to veer off the path, for I don’t have a valid compass of my own. But your constant correction keeps me on track. My course may be a zigzag as I stray and you bring me back, but the progress is forward.
Praise you that you are helping me to walk more in wisdom, to zigzag less, wasting less time and energy and bringing you more glory.
Praise you, Lord Jesus, for your faithful and powerful presence and protection. To you be glory and praise and honor, for you know the way through the dark. To you be exaltation, thanksgiving and obedience. I bow before you today in faith, I rise up in the day’s dawn to walk in submission to your loving guidance. Truly, the commandments of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes (Ps. 19:8). Praise be to YOU!]
