Mensa Otabil - His Rod and Staff Comfort Me
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We’re looking at the 23rd Psalm, and we are now in the fourth verse: «Yea, 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.»
This is a very profound statement; it is an assurance of the Shepherd’s presence, of God’s presence with us, even in the most dangerous places of life. David talks about the valley of the shadow of death. The valleys in the terrain of Judea in David’s time were very dangerous places; they were deep spots after a mountain-deep ravines. In there were snakes and all kinds of attacking animals, and wolves. No sheep wants to go through the valley, because their life would be in danger. That’s why he calls it the valley of the shadow of death; because in the valley, there is death, as sheep would be destroyed. Apart from that, there would be criminals in the valley who would steal a sheep, slaughter it, and eat it. So sheep would not want to go through the valley of the shadow of death.
David is saying that yes, there are moments in life where I’m going to go through dangerous spots-I need to go through those spots. It’s dangerous, and there are things out there to get me and to destroy me. But then he says, «I will fear no evil.» How is it possible that a sheep would go through the valley of the shadow of death, with all the danger around, and say, «I’m not afraid»? David answers it brilliantly: «For You are with me.»
If I’m going through the valley of the shadow of death by myself, I’m done. If I go through the valley of the shadow of death by my own strength, by my wisdom, by my ability, I’m gone. But if I’m going through the valley of the shadow of death and the Lord is with me, I will fear no evil. The assurance is not in the sheep; the assurance is in the presence of the Shepherd. The reason why we go through danger and survive is not because we are smart and intelligent, and we are well-positioned and well-connected. We go through danger and survive because God is with us. People will wish that we remain in the valley and never come out, but God has a sense of humor. He can take you through the valley when everybody thinks you’re not going to come out; He’ll put you right back up to the mountaintop. We fear no evil because the Lord is with us.
If you’re going through a valley of the shadow of death and you’re wondering, «Am I going to come out?» your assurance is: if God is with you, the valley will not be your death. The valley will be a lesson and a struggle from which you will come out, and you will testify. David said, «How does David know that the Lord is with him?» He says, «Because Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.» In other words, God’s presence is exemplified in the rod and the staff. The rod and the staff are used to correct the sheep and to guide it on the right path. So, if it is going to go down the wrong path, the staff will pull it by the neck and say, «Come back home, come back home,» and the rod will guide it.
David is saying, «God corrects me; God guides me,» because I can feel His rebuke when He rebukes me. I can feel His correction when He corrects me. I can hear His voice when I’m going astray. Because of the assurance of His voice, of His rebuke, of His instruction, I know I am safe. Isn’t it amazing that even when God is rebuking you, He is assuring you of His presence? That’s why you can hear the voice of His Spirit, and you can hear Him speaking to you, sometimes warning you and telling you not to do one thing or the other. All of that assures you that God is with you, and He wants to lead you through this valley and bring you to the mountaintop.
Let’s pray. Say with me: «Heavenly Father, Your presence keeps me from evil. Even in the dark moments of life, I know You are with me. In Jesus' name, amen and amen.» Well, I’ll catch you again tomorrow. I’m Pastor Mensa Otabil. Shalom, peace, and life to you.