I Will Fear No Evil, For God Is With Me

“Even though I walk through the darkest valley I will fear no evil for You are with me, Your rod and Your staff they comfort me” (Psalm 23:4).

Welcome back dear student, have you struggled with fear? Fear is literally False, Evidence, Appearing, Real – true, but it’s a hard place to be, in the midst of the storm. Toxic fear is a tactic used by the devil to torment - projecting scenarios that prophesy doom. This fear needs to be identified early and dealt with brutally. There’s no appeasing it – it’s demonic in nature: intent on the destruction of one’s inner peace, hope, and joy.

Fear gets magnified in the storm of thoughts and emotions, in the same way that an amplifier extends sound far from the base microphone (Psalm 94:19). The person hardly has a chance to breathe or think because they’re being bombarded by noise. Fear shrieks loudly, demanding the attention of those caught in the swirl. But it is possible to break the back of fear through the Word of God friend. It’s one of the most satisfying and visible expressions of faith, to see a person who used to battle anxiety, panic, oppression, and dread, now living a tranquil life, trusting God - no longer trapped, or triggered by terror.

When Moses died, the Lord told Joshua: ‘hey, you’re going to bring My people into the promised land. It won’t be easy – but I will be with you. And how you’re going to succeed is: by keeping My promises before your eyes day and night, thinking about them, and remembering them, for your life depends upon them. If you do this - focus on My Word; on My Faithfulness - and put My Word into action – then you will have great success. You are going to need good courage, and wisdom, but I will direct and help you! And I will not let the enemy beat you – I promise, Love, God’. (Joshua 1:5-9 paraphrased). That’s for you too friend.

Today’s lead Scripture above, tells of David going through a dark and frightening season, where perhaps his life was in danger, yet he understood that God was there too, and that helped keep him calm. The rod and the staff represent the Shepherd’s authority over his sheep. The rod was a baton shaped stick used both to protect the sheep from predators, and to direct them onto the right path. The staff had the curved head with which the Shepherd could rescue the sheep from danger or, haul one in closer to him for personal care.

So, David learnt that God’s boundaries – His Commands - both protect and defend one, even in the scariest of situations (Psalm 119:105). And the relationship we develop with the Lord as the sheep of His pasture brings us into such close contact with Him that fear must leave, halting darkness from consuming us (1 John 4:18; Psalm 100:3). Faith that overcomes fear is grown in humility. It’s not a magic wand waved over one’s head. "So then faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God" (Romans 10:17). Faith is cultivated and learnt, step by step, line by line, here a little, there a little (Isaiah 28:10; Hebrews 5:12-14).

Firstly, to grow, we must understand what fear is – a demon, a liar, and a thief.

It’s not your friend: but seeks to destroy your life whilst using agreement from your own actions, mind, and emotions to do it.

Second, fear is already a defeated foe.

The Lord Jesus became flesh to break Satan’s power of bondage to fear, bringing us freedom from slavery to the fear of dying (Hebrews 2:14-15; Colossians 2:15).

Ultimately, all fear is the fear of death, and separation from God.

In getting to know Jesus - the Author, and Word of Life, we begin to recognise and comprehend that we have the promise of Eternal Life through His Righteousness, assured that we are God’s beloved children now; forgiven, redeemed, and protected! Remember child of God Whose you are, Who is for you and Who is with you!"There is NO fear in Love, but perfect Love drives out fear - because fear involves punishment. The one who fears has not been perfected in Love. We love because He first Loved us" (1 John 4:18-19).