FEAR NOT for July 15: Psalm 23:4

"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."

BACKGROUND/COMMENTARY: This whole chapter is probably one that most, if not all, believers have memorized. Psalm 23 is one of the most comforting chapters in the Bible and all of us can relate to it and even run to it during the ebbs and flows of our life here on earth. According to Chuck Smith (blueletterbible.org): "I shall fear no evil for thou art with me" means I shall not want for courage. His presence dispels all fear. His presence is never closer than in the valley. And when we cross through the valley and come out on the other side, "I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever." Because this is such a familiar psalm, it's easy to just gloss over these verses. Chuck Smith brings to our attention that we are walking not IN the valley, but THROUGH. That's a very important distinction. Also, it is the shadow of death. Chuck Smith says, "The substance has been removed, only the shadow remains... No one is afraid of shadow. [The] shadow of a dog can't bite. [The] shadow of the sword can't kill. [The] shadow of death can't destroy."

PERSONAL APPLICATION: What comes to my mind when I read this verse is December 2009 and January 2010. For 18 days, my Mom's earthly body was being sustained by machines. Medically, there was no brain activity because she had been deprived of oxygen for more than 10 minutes after she suffered an asthma attack that was followed by a heart attack. This was the 2nd time that this had happened to her, but, this time proved to be the last. I remember that during those 18 days when she lay in the hospital with machines doing the work that her body could no longer perform, my Mom had a serene look on her face. Everyone -- hospital staff and visitors alike -- always remarked on it! They couldn't believe that she could look so at peace. But, of course, we know that she was at peace because she was finally home with her Heavenly Father. This verse is truly a source of comfort to me because I've witnessed it first hand with my Mom. She walked through the valley of the shadow of death and she had NO FEAR because she knew God was walking with her, holding her hand as they made their way to her heavenly home. Someday, I, too, will walk through that same valley and I will be able to experience what my Mom did, walking hand in hand with my Savior and knowing there was nothing to fear ever again!