God Is My Constant Companion

Introduction

In verses 1-3 of this Psalm 23 we see a picture of the Shepherd as PROVIDER. The second half of the Psalm reveals the Shepherd as PROTECTOR

Darkest Times

David now turns from God’s provision to God’s protection. As his shepherd, the Lord protects him from “the valley of the shadow of death,” “evil,” and “enemies.”

The “paths of righteousness” do not protect us from the valley, but it is the Lord who leads us through that depression of dark gloom. Though we are in the place of ultimate risk, where the darkness protects those who do evil and death casts its shadow, our fear is eclipsed by the presence of God. “For You are with me.” As in all life, it is the Lord’s presence alone which can give us complete comfort and security. When God sends His people from Egypt to the Promised Land He gives them one absolute guarantee: “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest” (Ex. 33:14). And he said, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”

The Lord grants us even more than His presence. He also grants us His power: “Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.” The “rod” beats off the external enemy, while the crooked “staff” snatches us from harm’s way. Figuratively, it protects us from the internal enemy—our own wandering foolishness. In Jesus’ parable, we are the lost sheep brought home on the shepherd’s shoulders (Luke 15:3–7). He has the power to save and restore. Jesus is also the good shepherd, as we have seen, who even lays down His life for the sheep. Knowing that our Lord has the power to beat off our enemies gives us great comfort in this life. Jesus promises, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand” (John 10:27–28). 27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.

This is the central verse of the psalm, and the personal pronoun changes from he to you. David is not speaking about the shepherd but speaking to the shepherd. In the dark valley, He is not before us but beside us, leading the way and calming our fears. The “vale of deep darkness” represents any difficult experience of life that makes us afraid, and that includes death. Sheep lack good vision and are easily frightened in new circumstances, especially where it’s dark; and the presence of the shepherd calms them. The rod was a heavy cudgel with which the shepherd could stun or kill an attacking beast, and the staff was the shepherd’s crook, which he used to assist the individual sheep. At evening, he would have the sheep pass under the crook one by one so he could count them and examine them (Lev. 27:32). It gave the flock peace knowing that the shepherd was there and was equipped for any emergency. He is “Immanuel … God with us” (Matt. 1:23). 23 “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us). Jesus is not a hireling who runs away at the sight of danger; he is a true Shepherd who lay down his life for his sheep (John 10:11–15). 11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. 13 He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. God’s sheep have “peace with God” (Rom. 5:1) Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. and may enjoy “the peace of God” (Phil. 4:4–7) 4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. 5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. as they trust Him. Through life, as we follow the Shepherd, we will have many and varied experiences, some of which will be very trying, but none of them can take the Lord by surprise. We may trust Him and have peace. The closer we are to our Shepherd, the safer we are and the more His peace will fill our hearts.

Isa. 40:9–11; Go on up to a high mountain, O Zion, herald of good news; lift up your voice with strength, O Jerusalem, herald of good news; lift it up, fear not; say to the cities of Judah, “Behold your God!” Behold, the Lord God comes with might, and his arm rules for him; behold, his reward is with him, and his recompense before him. He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young.

Isaiah 43:1–3; But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. I give Egypt as your ransom, Cush and Seba in exchange for you.

Rev. 1:17–18.) When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, “Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.