Psalm 23:4c

While vacationing in Williamsburg, Virginia I visited a “Ripley’s believe it or not!” gallery, the home of bizarre stories, international oddities, and strange discoveries.  Along the journey of browsing I saw a life size version of the tallest man in the world, standing at a towering eight feet and eleven inches I found myself just about eye level with his belt.  While in the gallery I couldn’t help but think of another giant who stood just about the same height as the display in front of me. 

His spear was bigger than most flagpoles, his coat of armor weighed about 200 pounds, and his voice scared an army of well weathered warriors.  Goliath was no joke; you didn’t catch any Israelites giggling when the giant stood morning after morning to mock the God of Israel.  A massive detachment of troops feared one man; he was head, shoulders, and even belly above everyone else.  To be perfectly fair, I couldn’t blame them, I was intimidated by a nine foot statue; they were dealing with the real deal, a man of war who toted a coat of armor that weighs more than I do. 

With all of that said, it seems a bit odd that the only guy that stepped on the scene with enough boldness to face a giant was not much bigger than a high school point guard.  What is even more curious is where this youthful shepherd boy got his courage. 

His brothers thought it was youthful pride.

His King thought it was youthful ignorance.

His heart knew it as child-like faith.

It wasn’t because of an enlarged ego, or some positive thinking technique, it was from a faith that the Lord Himself was with him to deliver as times before (1 Samuel 17:37).  I personally believe the words of Psalm 23 were written while David was in the field tending sheep, the very same field that he mentions while testifying to King Saul.  You see, When God showed Himself faithful in the life of David, he wrote it down, when he penned these words he allowed faith to permanently be written on his soul.  I encourage you to do the same.

Write it down!

When God delivers you out of trouble, stop… and write a note of remembrance. 

Here’s why:

When days turn to weeks and weeks turn to years we as human beings tend to forget stuff, and when the next trial arises you will be tempted to doubt.  In times like these I’ve learned that a personal record of God’s faithfulness is a huge help to boosting your faith, lifting your head, and bringing praise from your lips.  When the situation tells you, “You don’t stand a chance; you’re so small compared to that giant!”  You can remind yourself that, “If God did it before, then He can do it again!”

Often we make the mistake of having the “we’ll cross that bridge when we get there” mentality.  We turn the dial to cruise control and begin to think that we’ll sail over our rough waters simply because “we’ve gotten this far!”  Unfortunately it doesn’t work that way, we must apply the truth of God’s word as presently active and absolute to overcome the giants that are camping in our territory.  The truth is the same for us as it was for David; boldness, courage, victory and valor, are all birthed in a faith that trusts that the Lord is personally involved with us.  I believe the more this faith is applied in our lives the more we will see obstacles fall, foggy paths become clear, and fear begin to fade.

“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

Genesis 14:18-20

Melchizedek is a mysterious guy. Usually major characters are introduced by their fathers name or some type of geneology, Melchizedek seems to be an exception. He just shows up out of nowhere and blesses Abram. The same thing happens to us when we spend ourselves on behalf of others for the work of salvation, we get blessed. When I tell someone about Jesus, and share hope with them, somehow it solidifies my own faith and I come out blessed.

Here’s where I think it gets really cool…Melchizedek is a priest and a king, not just any priest or any king, he’s a priest of God Most High (before there was an official position of priest mind you), and the king of Salem. Now check this out…Melchizedek means “My King is Righteous” and Salem means “Peace”.

Righteous King and King of Peace, um… is this ringing any bells yet?

You guessed it; this guy is a picture of Jesus Christ, the King of Righteousness and King of Peace. Jesus is both a Priest (Heb.7) ministering on behalf of man to God and on behalf of God to man, as well as a King of kings(Rev.17:14). What is even more fascinating is where good ol’ Mel ruled. Salem happens to be the shortened and much older name for what we today know as Jeru-Salem. Jerusalem would be the place where Jesus Christ would be crucified and three days later rise again, establishing not only righteousness for all, but assuring peace between mankind and God.

Did you notice what Mel brought out for the blessing? Bread and Wine

What was it that Jesus broke and poured out at the last supper?

That’s right, bread and wine. Bread represents the body of Jesus, which would satisfy the hunger of death. The wine represents the blood which was poured out on the cross which quenched the thirst of sin. Blessing us with a very similar blessing:

Possession of heaven and earth and Victory over our enemies (the flesh, the world, Satan, sin and death)

I’ve heard some silly people say that the Old Testament is obsolete…They are sadly mistaken.