“I will fear no evil…”
Psalm 23:4
When listening to these words I often get the idea that David was some type of superman. Being able to eat steel and spit nails might be the kind of tough criteria that enables some to cry out, “I Will Fear No Evil!”… But what criteria does it take to overcome the things that even valiant men are vulnerable to? Perhaps it isn’t the “boogie man” that frightens you, but what about when the doctor says, “I’m afraid I have some bad news…” or when that foreclosure letter arrives in the mail? I find myself wondering if David might have had it easier back in the day than those of us who live here in the future. Just as I begin to start rationalizing my fears however, I find the statement of this shepherd turned king much more profound and applicable to our time than its length and eloquence lets on.
The Hebrew word “yare’” or “fear” used in this passage gives a bit more insight as to the reality of fear and the confidence that our author proclaims. Yare’ speaks of an inspired reverence, awe, or respect to the point of terror. The sensation that is experienced when faced with conflict is founded upon the perspectives we hold and the faith which we apply therein. So if I believe that a certain situation is impossible, and my faith is based on my abilities, the result will be a sensation of despairing inadequacy or fear. On the other side of the coin, if I happen to believe that the situation I have in front of me is somehow manageable, and my faith is invested upon the abilities of one who was up to the task, my emotions in turn are equally hopeful and bright. What fear often does is distort our sense of reality; it enlarges our understanding of vulnerability and leaves us emotionally in fetal position, cowering from the victory that is available. When penning this part of the chapter, I don’t think David was placing his faith in himself as a shepherd, but in the Lord, Who is immeasurably capable no matter the difficulty. In short, what David was trying to say was, “I’ve seen God, I’ve experienced already a reverence, awe, respect, and terror that has driven me beyond what anything else has ever caused in my heart…fact is, everything that seemed pretty big and bad pales in comparison to the “fear” of God, or the respect and awe that God’s presence has demanded of me.”
It reminds me of a story about three young Jews. In a time when the nation of Israel was in captivity and the laws of Babylon seemed frightfully sovereign, three teenage boys kept their perspective, stood firm in the truth, and in result their gritty faith shook a nation aware to the sovereignty of God.
The king of Babylon had raised a massive statue in his own likeness, and then with a compelling hostility persuaded everyone to bow down and revere the image. In a way, that’s what fear does; it drives us forcefully to pay an enlarged amount of attention and reverence to something. When the flutes and trumpets sounded, it was three young guys who were committed to appropriately directing their attention to the only One Who deserved such awe, and with a short trial they were sent to their deaths…or so it seemed. In the face of impending danger, they spoke the words that echo in my mind when I consider the equally faith filled words from King David.
“I’ll give you one more chance to bow down!” yelled Nebuchadnezzar furiously
“We do not need to defend ourselves before you.” Replied the boys
“If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty. But even if He doesn’t, Your Majesty can be sure that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up.”
In other words, “I will fear no evil”
And into the fire they went…and the result was wonderful. Not a scent of smoke on them, not a hair singed, not a thread bared; they paid the proper respect to the Lord and God honored them with confidence, security, blessing, and peace.
The moment we lose sight of the reality of Who God is and What He is capable of, is the same moment fear comes in and peace is hindered. By willfully conceding to an authority of power that is not over us, we in a way are saying to the Lord that we are uncertain of His authority. David chose otherwise…he tells us, “I will not”. You see, fear is a choice not a mandate. Evil will never be able to harm us when our faith is in Jesus Christ. Threats will come, fiery trials may surround, but as the three young men said, “the God whom we serve is able to save us.” God is mightier than that which we fear.
As we begin to trust and live out this faith in Jesus, those who are bowing down will start to raise their eyes and see the truth. They will be as Nebuchadnezzar, seeing one who looks like “the Son of God”.
They’ll see Jesus
So Fear not
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Comments ( 3 )
hey dan
thanks for that intresting story! and yea we shouldn’t fear evil and with our faith in god we can overcome evil with good!oh and my uncle is also a fire fighter but hasn’t yet retired
stacey
stacey added these pithy words on
Sep 18 08 at
9:56 am
after that comment your probally thinking wow thts soo intresting that my uncles is a fire fighter
but he also tells me jokes… which half of them i don’t really get but yh.. and sorry that this comment isn’t really based on the story about “i will fear no evil”
stacey added these pithy words on
Oct 03 08 at
1:42 pm
Thanks for the Hebrew info… I was looking for that very thing. I’m still getting how fearing our Lord produces in us NOT fearing any other thing.
David added these pithy words on
Oct 05 08 at
8:26 pm
