“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

Psalm 23:3

A common misconception held in regards to the Human race is that we, like all the other species of the animal kingdom, are two part beings (i.e. body, and soul).  The truth is, however, that we are not part of the animal kingdom; and we as mankind were created specially in God’s image, making us three part beings (i.e. Body, Soul, and Spirit).

“Isn’t the soul and the spirit the same thing?” You might ask

No

The Bible clearly states in the Hebrew that the soul is not the same as the spirit.  The spirit is that within us that will move on into eternity; it’s the character image of God that is imparted unto us and shaped into His likeness while here on earth.  The soul, on the other hand, is the combination of the thoughts we think and the emotions we feel, knit into our makeup by God as tools He uses to shape our spirits to be as His own.  “Nephesh”-the Hebrew word for “soul” speaks of the mind and heart, the source of thinking and feeling.  A vital area within a person’s being, but not the inner being itself.

So what exactly is David trying to say as he pens the words, “He restores my soul…”?

He’s telling us that the Shepherd cares about what we as His sheep think, and He’s intimately concerned with how His sheep feel.  He desires to “restore”-or literally translated, “to turn around, or bring back” the peace of mind that He originally designed for us to enjoy while in relationship with Him.  He wants to turn around the misdirected thoughts and emotions that are negatively affecting our spirit, leading us out of the pain of the present problem, and into the assurance of His promised paradise.  The dilemma is that sometimes, like sheep, we get spooked easily.  Sheep have this strange tendency to panic when fearful (sound familiar?)Due to the panic they become unsettled and take off away from the Shepherd, leading them into unnecessary hurt, pain, and injury.   

Our thoughts and emotions can be a tricky area.  As Jeremiah the prophet said, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17:9)  Directly following those words the Lord replies, “I, the Lord, search the heart, I test the mind”.  You see, Our Shepherd sees the inner workings of our heart and mind.  Not only is He capable to diagnose our heart conditions, He is also perfectly able to restore and remedy those things which often lead to our breaking down and giving up.  There isn’t one person on this green earth that hasn’t experienced a time where they got depressed, disappointed, and disillusioned to some degree.  It happens so easily, and make no mistake, its not a “walk in the park” to snap out of it.  This is why David reminds us that the answer isn’t a self help book, positive thinking methods, or even Yoga positions…the answer is not in our ability, the answer is in the Lord.  For we too are like sheep, we get psyched out by the emotions which are triggered by our thoughts.  In effect we derail, falling out of step with the Shepherd, endangering our own lives, and sometimes the lives of those who are following us.

Who is it that reminds, returns, and refocuses our soul to where it needs to be? 

The good Shepherd…Jesus. 

How does He do it?

Psalm 51, another psalm where David speaks of the Shepherd Illustration helps us understand this secret. 

“Have mercy upon me, O God, according to Your loving kindness, according to the multitude of Your tender mercies…Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts, and in the hidden part You will make me to know wisdom…Make me hear Joy and gladness, that the bones You have broken may rejoice.”

Psalm 51:1, 6, 8

When sheep get scared they scatter, inevitably leading to a harmful predicament.  Straying sheep often means injured sheep…maybe even dead sheep.  That’s not what the good Shepherd wants when it comes to the sheep He loves. 

So what does a loving, kind, merciful, tender Shepherd do to keep scared sheep from scattering? 

He breaks their leg. 

Calm down…I know your probably thinking, “How is breaking the leg of the one you love “kind, merciful, and tender”?

Before you begin questioning the love of the Shepherd, take a closer look at the result of His actions.   In ancient times, when a certain lamb developed the bad habit of consistently straying away from the Shepherd and endangering its life, the Shepherd would take the baby sheep that strayed and break one of its legs.  He then would masterfully set the broken leg, lifting the lamb onto His able shoulders, carrying it until the leg had healed.  During that time of close intimacy with the Shepherd that lamb would witness up close and personal the loving strength day by day as it simply rested upon the strong shoulders of the Shepherd to carry it through.  Eventually when the lamb was able to bear its own wieght again it has become only natural to remain, draw near, and abide with the Shepherd. 

Perhaps you might think, “That’s well and good for lambs Dan, but i’m no lamb…i’m not even a spring chicken!  I’ve been in this pasture so long, so set in my ways that I can’t possibly heal from a broken bone…much less have my old, overwieght body hauled around by the Shepherd.  If that’s you take heart.  The Lord is mighty and capable, “a thousand years are as a day, and a day a thousand years to the Lord” It doesn’t matter if you’ve been around for 80 years and you feel like God is breaking you down and carrying you through, your still a babe to the Lord.  Heck, He’s been around before Day 1 was measured out and listed as Day 1.  Your just a babe in His arms, He can carry you, He will carry you, If you just let Him.

The Shepherd desires that His sheep would know completely the truth of his love, kindness, and mercy no matter the situation or circumstance.  So when thunder claps, or the wolf howls, or the wind blows a little harder than what the sheep might feel comfortable with, the presence of the Shepherd speaks assurance and security to the easily rattled sheep, and so it is for you and me. 

When emotions tempt us to worry and whine, and we begin to feel as though life is bearing it’s fangs at us, we need not fear.  Instead, in those times we must remember how the good Shepherd has carried us with His strength. 

Simply place your faith in the One that has carried you this far, draw near to His love, and experience the restoring of your soul.