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I WILL FEAR NO EVIL

The 23rd Psalm is probably the most frequently quoted in the church and outside the church today. When times seem to be taking a turn for the worse or when a loved one passes on, we are encouraged to be comforted by this specific psalm. But the majority of those who read it have no idea what it means or the hidden blessings it offers. I have heard preachers turn it inside out, upside down, every which way possible. And I must say that I paid great attention because all scripture brings life and deepens our understanding of the greatness of God. With this post, let's take the words at face value and reveal just the basic knowledge of why it is used so often. We will take it line by line.

1. The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want: Two things are clear: One, the LORD is spoken of as being MY, indicating the psalmist is indicating that first and foremost, he knows the Lord intimately. He is the Lord’s possession; therefore, he is saying that he has a very close relationship. Two: God is his shepherd, indicating that He has oversight of the psalmist, that the psalmist is submissive to Him, and that, in turn, the psalmist is being cared for and ALL his needs are met.

2. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside still waters: Revealed here is that His Lord supplies his every day nourishment, both spiritually and physically. Lying down in green pastures, not forcing him to eat on command. God gently gives the psalmist what He knows he needs, yet it is up to him to eat for both his physical and spiritual health. But it is always the individual's responsibility to eat. Notice that the waters are still, not raging rapids where there is a danger of death or injury. Water in the word of God is always pointing to “being washed by the water of the word of God.” The word cleanses the individual with truth. Jesus said that He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. All three can be seen in this verse.

3. He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake: Restoration indicates that something in the psalmist's life (as well as ours) is or was drastically wrong and not pleasing to God. But when a person repents and asks for forgiveness, God is always there to forgive and to restore that individual to health.

Here is where I need to make something very clear: most people lack understanding. In a previous statement, God said that He created man in His likeness —that being God is a three-part being: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. We are as well. We have a body, a soul, and a spirit. Those who do not confess Christ as their Savior have a darkened spirit because the Light (Jesus)has not been invited in. Those who have received Christ have God as their shepherd. The soul of man is who we are from birth, as we gather information and grow into adults. What I like to say is that others recognize us as who we have become. The body is the vessel of the soul and spirit, making up the three-part being.

Those who submit to the Lord have the Holy Spirit of promise (given at Pentecost, Acts 2) and are guided in their daily lives (24-7) in the paths that God has chosen for us, because He has an extraordinary work for each of us to do according to His plan. It all fits together because He has ordained us to good works which reflect our life in Him and thus is a witness to His greatness shown through us, His beloved.

4. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me, Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me: The psalmist states with understanding that in his everyday trek in this world that the world is a place of death, it is the results of the rebellion of Adam and Eve which brought death to everything that God created in His perfection. Yet he walks with no fear because he has totally surrendered to the Shepherd of his soul. He is fully aware of the safety he enjoys, and nothing can overtake him if he stays under God's covering of righteousness. Next, let's address the rod and the staff. The rod is the rod of correction. In our lives, we are constantly influenced by the demons who bombard us with evil suggestions. If we ignore them, then they are only suggestions to do something other than what God wants us to do. However, if we entertain those suggestions, then they become sins in us, and we must repent and ask for forgiveness. The moment God sees a repentant heart, He responds positively with love and kindness. Have you ever heard, “Spare the rod and spoil the child”? I think you got it!

5. Now the staff. The shepherd carries the staff for a specific reason. When the sheep are under attack, the staff becomes a powerful weapon. We are protected by a wooden stick wielded by the most knowledgeable warrior, our creator. What is the staff in our lives today? It is the Word of God, “Begone, Satan, in the name of Jesus.” And he must obey. We are the King's kids, and we have power —learn from us.

6. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You have anointed my head with oil; my cup overflows. Notice that God didn’t take him to a table, but that God prepared it before him. It is his responsibility to

7. Go, sit, eat. It’s the action that yields insight and knowledge. We must eat the word daily, feast upon it; we are taking in the wealth of perfection that is in Jesus, the bread of life, but first, we must aggressively take it in. Anointing his head is interesting. It has been said that the shepherds anoint the head of the sheep with oil to prevent the bugs and flies from laying their eggs in the ears, eyes, and nose of the sheep. Think about it, the ears, the things we hear with, hear suggestions that lead to sin, especially on the radio and TV. The eyes are clearly a significant way the enemy opens a path that can bring down believers, endangering their testimony. The odors and tastes that cause the downfall of millions today. It is overwhelming what the sense of smell and taste can do to people. Absolutely disgusting. Because the Lord is constantly leading us to good, the psalmist confesses that all that God lavishes upon his people is so great that it cannot be contained, and it overflows.

8. Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my confesses that all that is in God is constantly at his disposal. The word tells us that Jesus is closer than a brother. Yes, he is ever present to the lost and the convert. To the lost, He is a gift that is ever ready, and all they have to do is repent and receive. To the one who has received Christ as their savior, He is constantly giving. However, the amount to overflowing is the responsibility of the believer. Either way, God never changes, never lies, and never rejects. Can you hear Him now, that sweet, soft voice telling you that His love is ever present? Do you hear Him knocking at the door of your heart? Yes, that is the Living God who wants to breathe life into your spirit unto life. life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.