In the Valley, You Are With Me

The Lord's presence, with his protecting rod and directing staff, was David's great comfort in the midst of his deepest valleys.

However, the rod and staff will not comfort you if you don’t enjoy the presence of the Shepherd, if you want to be left to yourself and your own choices. If you do not fear to be exposed because you don’t believe there are any enemies out there; or, if there are enemies, they’re not that bad and you can handle them yourself.

But if not the rod and staff of Jesus, what is your comfort? Fill in the blank: my popularity, today’s entertainment, family, health? Or a mixture of all these good things, perhaps.

May our great comfort and strength be in the presence of the Shepherd, and of his promised working in our lives. "In the valley you are with me, and so I need fear no evil."