Last nite we read Psalm 23 for our family devotion.
Particularly in the current situation of ongoing battle of LGBT issues, the word is relevant:
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.
You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
There are many things in life which make us afraid. As parents we are afraid of bad things happened to our children. As a child, we are afraid bad things happened to our parents too.
David didn’t deny the experience of walking through the valley of the shadow of death. He affirms it. And he shares openly about his enemies, seeking for his life. We live in real life with enemies, dangers, and even death.
But one thing this Psalm teaches me is, we shall not fear EVIL. We shall not be afraid of ENEMIES. They’re real. But we must not be afraid of them. For Yahweh is with us. David concludes with “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and i shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever.” ~ Psalm 23:6
Isn’t it the great assurance we have? When we face evil and enemies, we must not be afraid. For God is with us. In fact, He prepares a table before us, in the presence of our enemies.
Because of what Jesus had done on the cross, Paul could even further say the following words:
“For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” ~ Rom 8:38-39
Absolutely NOTHING can win us over the love of God in Jesus!! What do we afraid of?