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Response
In one of the most comforting passages of the Bible, we encounter this reassuring declaration: “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me” «Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. », (Psalm 23:4). The psalmist, King David, has discovered that God’s presence with him conquers even the most challenging situations he may encounter in life.
Psalm 23 presents the Lord as a reliable, caring, and compassionate Shepherd, an image that is recurrent throughout both the Old and New Testaments. As we familiarize ourselves with God as our Shepherd, we begin to understand how He leads us, cares for us individually, and shields us. We acknowledge that we lack nothing because our Shepherd is by our side, guiding our way and tending to all our needs. Even if He directs us into a dark valley, we, like David, can declare, “I will fear no evil.”
The term translated as “evil” in the original Hebrew language signifies “that which causes harm, misfortune, trouble, danger, destruction, or injury of any kind.” Even in the most trying times, David asserts that he would not dread any harm. We need not be afraid because the Lord our Shepherd walks alongside us through life’s dark valleys. He is present with us in moments of loss, illness, injury, and sorrow. Even in the bleakest seasons of life, we need not fear harm because God is by our side.
God has consistently provided this assurance to His devoted followers throughout the Bible. To the patriarchs, God declared, “Fear not, for I am with you” (Genesis 26:24;ESV;see also Genesis 15:1). To the armies of Israel, the Lord pledged, “When you go to w
When you go out to battle against your enemies and see horses, chariots, and an army greater than yours, do not be afraid of them, because the LORD your God, who brought you up out of Egypt, will be with you” «When thou goest out to battle against thine enemies, and seest horses, and chariots, and a people more than thou, be not afraid of them: for the LORD thy God is with thee, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt. », (Deuteronomy 20:1).
As Joshua and the people of Israel prepared for battle against enemy nations in the Promised Land, God said through Moses, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you” (Deuteronomy 31:6; see also 31:8). Through the prophet Isaiah, God proclaimed, “Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand (Isaiah 41:10; NLT; see also 41:13; see also 43:5). The writer of Hebrews reminds us of God’s promise, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you” «Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. », (Hebrews 13:5).
Fearing evil and trusting God don’t mix. When we are confident in God’s goodness, we can say with the psalmist, “The LORD is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?” «The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shallI be afraid? », (Psalm 27:1). If we believe that God is on our side, we acknowledge, “The LORD is for me, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me?” «The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: What can man do unto me? », (Psalm 118:6, NLT). When we start to experience fear, we know it’s time to put our trust in God «When I am afraid, I will trust in you. », (Psalm 56:3). As we turn to Him in prayer, He will free us from fear and fill us with His supernatural peace (Psalm 34:4;Philippians 4:6).
In our darkest, most trying times, we must remember that God is near «The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart; And saves those who have a contrite spirit. », (Psalm 34:18). He is our Shepherd, and we are in His constant care. Throughout our lives and even in death, His goodness and love will never fail us «Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.», (Psalm 23:6). Only when we are secure in the knowledge that our Good Shepherd is with us can we confidently say, “I will fear no evil.”
