DEVOTION – DAY 404

Psalm 23:4 “I Shall Fear No Evil”

Psalm 23:4 “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me, your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”

The words “the darkest valley” often refers to circumstances of the greatest danger. It could be someone being diagnosed with a life-threatening condition like cancer or blockage in their hearts’ arteries etc. The words “rod and staff” gives us the image of instruments used by shepherds to count, guide, rescue and protect sheep under their care. Taken together, this verse tells us that Christians do not need to be fearful even when they are confronted with great danger. They can take courage because they are under the protection and care of their Lord. This promise of God’s protection will give Christians the peace and comfort they need even as they face the storms in their lives.

We know a family that faced a number of storms in their lives in the last couple of years. The husband was diagnosed with a heart condition and needed to undergo a medical procedure. They had limited funds. The wife also had her own health issues. To make matters worse, their only daughter developed a severe allergy that left her in terrible pain. It couldn’t have happened at a worse time because she was in the midst of preparing for her IGCSE exams. Their son had just started his first job and was facing his own challenges. They faced business challenges and many other issues. But throughout this period, the family prayed to the Lord for His help. The Lord gave them His strength to face each day and to overcome each problem as it arose. 

Looking back on this period, the family could only thank God for enabling them to face crisis after crisis and to overcome every single one of them. The husband’s operation was a success. The wife’s health issues became stable after some rest. Although the daughter’s allergy took many months to become stable, she was still able to do well in her IGCSE. The son settled in his job and is now doing well. They realized that their faith in the Lord is greatly strengthened as a result. They could not imagine what life would have been like without the Lord’s help.

Let us pray: Heavenly Father, we thank you for your constant help and presence in our lives. You promise that you will never leave us or forsake us. Please continue to help us to face the storms in our lives and to emerge victorious for your glory. We pray this in the wonderful name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Questions

  1. What challenges have you faced in the past where the Lord had helped you to overcome? Share.
  2. What challenges are you now facing and how do you feel about them? 
  3. What do you think you can do to find peace and courage even as you face these new challenges?