[Barb]

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil...

I always took this portion of the Psalm to mean, when I'm at death's door, looking St. Peter in the eye, I will not fear. However, there are other valley's of death which are not the ultimate end of us all.

The valley of death can be any ending or what we feel is an ending...divorce, end of friendship, family squabbles/division, loss of employment, church split...any number of things can lead us to think it is all over.

But, when the valleys of defeat and despair come, and they will, we have the assurance in this Word that we can walk through them AND without fear.

You may say that on your own you cannot do this, and you would be correct...on our own we cannot, BUT we are NOT alone...

For thou art with me...

The Lord of Hosts is our strength...our sustainer...our refuge...our ONLY hope!!

When man turns his back, we are not alone. When the enemy comes in, like a flood the Spirit of the Lord lifts up a standard against him. When we feel it is all over and we might as well throw it all aside, Christ says, "My grace is sufficient...I am here!!"

Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me...

A shepherd will use the rod and staff to pull the sheep away from danger. When he moves too close to the edge of the cliff or is near the river bank, he gently extends the rod and staff of protection, guiding them back into place.

It is a comforting thing that allows the sheep to feel the presence of the shepherd even when he can't see him or when the shepherd is silent.

So it is with the Great Shepherd, who has designed the rod and staff of His Word. In this we find solace and rest...we receive strength and comfort.

What a loving God...