He Is Near

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

Psalm 23 is perhaps one of the most recognized and quoted passages in the entire Bible. It is most often associated with funerals; but there is much more to this passage than comfort in death. There is hope in life!

Psalm 23 makes one truth obvious…God’s grace will find us. No matter what we are going through, how far we have fallen, what we have done, or how we feel…His grace pursues and finds us. There is nowhere we can wander that is out of His reach.

In this Psalm God reminds us that He makes us lie down in green pastures, He leads us beside still waters, He restores our souls. King David’s words overflow with the nearness of God in all circumstances, and of our Great Shepherd’s tender care over His flock. He gives us what we need, even when we don’t know what we need. Comfort, companionship, rest, peace…He is the Great Need-Meeter of our souls.

The greatest reminder of God’s grace is found in verse 4, “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me…” Death…the greatest enemy of all mankind…the dark unknown that we will all face. Death beckons and haunts us in the corners of our minds like a scary monster under the bed. When will it get us? It is terrible and scary.

But not for those who are in Christ. Even the shadows of death we will not face alone. God is with us even there. We don’t fear death. Our Shepherd will not forsake us even there. And if God is with us in the worst of places, can we not trust Him in all other circumstances? As bad as things can get, they are never too dark for the light of God’s presence and grace. He is enough.

It doesn’t matter who you are, what you have done, or what you are facing today. You are not out of God’s reach. His grace is able to save you, to help you, and to comfort you.

Dear Lord, thank you that you are always near, regardless of my circumstances or my feelings. Make me more aware of your presence and help me to remember that you never leave me. In Jesus' name, amen.