Fear Not - Daily Devotional April 15th, 2010

Bible Reading - Leviticus 19, Psalm 23-24, Ecclesiastes 2, 1 Timothy 4

Fear Not

Psalm 23 is probably one of the most well known Psalms of all time. It is quoted mostly at funerals and is preached about often. In today's devotional I find myself drawn specifically to Psalm 23:4 that says, "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me".

In this Psalm one of the greatest fears is brought forth, the fear of death (shadow of death). As this fear is brought forth though, I will not be afraid. This is so beautiful because if one of the greatest fears cannot touch me then no fear can touch me. However, the portion of this verse that grabs my attention the most is the reason why the writer is not afraid. He is not afraid, not because He is invincible, not because he has an amazing army backing him up but simply because God's rod and staff are there to comfort him.

The rod and the staff in this context is speaking of the two tools used by a shepherd as he would tend to his sheep. The rod was a stick about a yard long with a knob at the end that was more than likely used to beat away other animals that would try to attack the sheep. The staff is a longer stick typically with a hook at the end. The staff was used to pull the sheep to the shepherd and sometimes used to pull the sheep out of thick underbrush when they were stuck. Many believe that they were one in the same but either way the sheep were comforted by the rod and the staff.

Today that rod and that staff for us is His word (the Bible). I will fear nothing because your Word comforts me at all times. The Word of God has the source of protection, it has the power for provision and it has the ability to give me wisdom. His word is the the very thing that fights off the enemy, "When the enemy comes in like a flood, The Spirit of the LORD will lift up a standard against him". It also has the ability to pull me from the underbrush of sin that tries to catch me, "since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us..."

His word is our rod and our staff and therefore I will not be afraid of any death or evil that comes my way. So today if you you find yourself afraid because of the enemy coming against you or because of sin that is ensnaring you allow the Good Shepherd to come with His rod and staff today to take care of you.

Tomorrows Bible Reading - Leviticus 20, Psalm 25, Ecclesiastes 3, 1 Timothy 5

Dream Big
Ben