In our Focal Scripture, the psalmist speaks of how he goes through the valley of the shadow of death and yet fears no evil because the Lord is with him. He didn’t fear because of the presence of the Lord with him. It was not about what the Lord had done; it was about the personality of the Lord. It was not about what he had seen the Lord do; it was about the person of the Lord. His confidence was in the personality of the Lord.
Friend, no matter the valleys you go through, be confident in the person of the Lord. Be confident in the God you serve, no matter the fearful situations that come your way. Be confident in the God you serve, and remain steadfast no matter the battles you face. Let your confidence be in the knowledge of your God. Let what you know about God cause you to remain unshaken no matter what shows up to shake you to your foundations.
Situations will arise to plant fear in you; situations will arise to test your faith; battles will arise to make you question the faithfulness of God; issues will arise to make you wonder if God is still on your side; issues will arise to make you think the enemy has had an upper hand around you; issues will arise to make you think that God has forgotten you; issues will arise to question your faith; but always remember, your God is worthy to be trusted.
The psalmist did not fear, not because there were no fearful situations, but because he understood that the Lord was with him. He refused to fear, because he trusted the Shepherd more than he feared the predators and marauders. No matter how fierce and terrifying your marauders and predators are, let your trust in your Shepherd be higher. Let your confidence in God exceed the fear of those who have gathered against you.
When the chips are down, no matter how they claim to be in charge of your valleys, the marauders and predators can never over power the Shepherd.
