No more doom and gloom

Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me. (Psalm 23:4)

If there is one message that rings true in Psalm 23 it is that God is always with us. No matter what trouble comes, fear that emerges, anxious thoughts that grip us, or the deepest, darkest places that attempt to consume our peace, God is with us. The shepherd uses both the rod and the staff to direct us, keep us, and protect us. The staff to guide us. The rod to protect us. Sheep need both - the shepherd knows this very well.

Fix your eyes on the shepherd, not the 'wolf' that comes to steal and destroy. We won't be overtaken by the 'wolf' because the shepherd knows he is there, already has a plan to deal with him, and is ever vigilant to protect us. When our eyes are on him, the 'wolf' is no longer our focus. God is bigger than our 'biggest' issue. Too many times, we embrace the 'issue' instead of our shepherd. The sheep have learned to 'herd close' to the shepherd when they are afraid. Why? They know he cares so greatly for them that he will fend off any attack on their behalf.

Goodness and mercy follow his sheep. That means there is no room for fear or dread. What do the sheep do when threatened by the wolf? They cry out! They alert the shepherd that they feel threatened, that their peace has been disturbed. His immediate response is to acknowledge that he already has things well under control and is alert to the danger. When our eyes are fixed on the wolf, doom and dread, anxiety and restlessness become our constant state of mind and body. When they are fixed on Jesus, goodness and mercy envelop us, giving us deep peace even in the midst of threatening circumstances. Just sayin!