March 25, 2022
Friday
Never Alone
Isaiah 43: 2-3
"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me."
For David, youngest of Jesse’s eight sons, the life of a shepherd could be lonely. When Samuel, the prophet, went to Jesse’s house in Bethlehem to anoint one of his sons as successor to King Saul, Samuel rejected the seven older sons. Jesse mentioned that there was one more, the youngest, who was “keeping the sheep” (1 Samuel 16:11). The implication was that David was away, in the hills with the sheep, tending the flock alone as he had to be sent for.
There are many references to David’s solitary life as a shepherd, during which he had time to contemplate God, creation, and his place in it (Psalm 8). Psalm 23 is the ultimate example—David puts God in the role of shepherd, his shepherd (Psalm 23:1). Though often alone, and sometimes in dangerous situations (1 Samuel 17:34-36), David fell back on one truth: “You are with me”—even in the “valley of the shadow of death.”
You may not be facing death today (all will one day), but wherever you are, whatever your circumstances, you are not alone. God is with you.
A point to ponder…
True peace comes not from the absence of trouble but from the presence of God.
Alexander MacLaren
Read the Bible through in a year
I love you!!!
© 2000-2022 B. Michael Goerlich