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Psalm 23:3-4 NKJV
He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. Yea, 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.
The Nature of Our Shepherd (continued)
Dallas Willard
Life Without Lack: Living in the Fullness of Psalm 23
He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.
The effect of the restoration of my soul is that I walk in paths of righteousness on his behalf as a natural expression of my renewed inner nature. As I walk these paths, my trust in the Shepherd runs so deep that I can declare:
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil.
A life without lack is one that carries no fear of evil. Our confidence in God soars far above wants and fears. Would you like to have a life without fear, a life of soaring faith? It seems like Jesus was constantly saying to his friends, “Fear not! Fear not!” Imagine what that would be like. No fear of life, aging or death, disease or hunger, no fear of any person or creature, not even the loss of all your possessions. You can live without fear even in the midst of a world dominated by fear. While the psalmist clearly knows about life’s dangers, he can still say, “I will fear no evil.” Why? Please read his answer out loud:
For You are with me.
The complete sufficiency of the life without lack is based upon the presence of God, and he is most clearly and fully present to us in Jesus Christ, Immanuel, God with us.
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
I know from experience that the rod and staff represent the Shepherd’s strength and protective care. In this safe place where I have no fear, I am at liberty to enjoy the overwhelming generosity of my Shepherd.
The Lord’s My Shepherd
https://youtu.be/pN4tPkX0MG0?si=ndUCgx0dOuIMvcME
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If you have found this meditation helpful, take a moment and give thanks to God. Then share what you learned with a friend. This is how the grace of God spreads (2 Corinthians 4.15).