Our divine shepherd will always lead us in the right paths for the restoration of our souls. This doesn’t mean, however, that the right path will be easy and pleasant. It will often be hard going and you may question whether the path you are on really is a path of righteousness for the restoration of your soul. David assures himself in Psalm 23:4: “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me.” In the region where David worked as a shepherd, the water and the grass was often in deep canyons rather than in the open where the water would evaporate and the grass dry up. But canyons were also places of great danger because wild animals would go there for the same reason. So, the place that you might fear the most becomes the very place that most nourishes you. God’s promise, however, is that you will be protected in these places. His ‘rod and his staff’ protect you. There is no external threat that can thwart where God is leading you. This is the message that occasions a change of metaphor in this psalm. David pictures himself calmly eating a meal while his enemies look on helplessly, unable to disturb what God has given him. Keep following the shepherd. Don’t try to flee the valleys if God takes you there, for these can be the most nourishing places. Stay with your shepherd. Trust in his protection and guidance. Trust in his goodness and love. These are the surest things in the world.
Ask God to help you face your challenges with peace and confidence today.
Read Psalm 23 again.
