ICS Daily Devotions
Find Comfort In Him
Psalms 23:4. Even though I walk through the [sunless] [a]valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod [to protect] and Your staff [to guide], they comfort and console me.
Jesus tells us very clearly in John 16:33 that all of us will have tribulations in this world. But in Him we will have the peace that surpasses all understanding for He is always with us to comfort and console us in times of need. Hence, we shall fear no evil because His protection will be upon us and He is the light to guide us through the darkness.
Psalms 23:2, 6 He lets me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still and quiet waters. Surely goodness and mercy and unfailing love shall follow me all the days of my life, And I shall dwell forever [throughout all my days] in the house and in the presence of the Lord.
This Scripture talks about the provision of God, His goodness and mercy. We need to learn to trust Him and rest in Him that He will provide in due time.
Deut 8:18 (NKJV) “And you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day.
The forefathers of David understood the provision of God when they experienced the way He led them out of Egypt into the Promised Land. It was God’s power that gave the Israelites ability to gain wealth and build beautiful houses in order to establish His covenant with them. What God wanted was their faithfulness and loyalty to Him. He had no issue with them having good things in life. David understood this point.
David is definitely the person in the Bible who fully understood the meaning of covenant relationship in the Old Testament. This was shown in his dealing with the Philistines including Goliath their giant warrior whom David killed with his sling and a stone. His experience with the Lord was deepened when he was on the run from King Saul and how God provided all that he needed from food, people and ultimately his enthronement based on God’s timing with lifting a finger against King Saul whom he refused to touch God’s anointed. Therefore, it is with deep conviction that he believes and testifies that God’s mercy and goodness has been with him throughout his life and God has definitely provided for him in every aspect of his life.
Do you have the same conviction as David when you are faced with challenges in life? If we do not come to terms with what we truly believe and act upon it, we may end up running away from the house of the Lord rather than dwelling in the house of the Lord forever! David is able to articulate this truth because he is convinced that God is truly a good Shepherd to him in good and difficult times. He had the right attitude during those valley moments by fixing his eyes on who God is, rather than his circumstances.
Are you going through a difficult time now? Remember, in good times and difficult times, God’s character does not change. He is still the Alpha and Omega, He is still the King of kings and Lord of lords and the truth that Jesus has conquered death still stands! His rod and staff shall comfort you for He is with you!
Sermon series: Psalm 23
