## Psalm 23 Study, Part 3

## Psalm 23:4

We have looked at the first three verses of this familiar psalm. Tonight we want to look at the fourth verse. In it we find three basic thoughts. There is a place, a peace, and a presence.

I. Place: "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death..."

A. For the believer, death is gain.

PHILIPPIANS 1:21, "FOR TO ME TO LIVE IS CHRIST, AND TO DIE IS GAIN."

2 CORINTHIANS 5:8, "WE ARE CONFIDENT, I SAY, AND WILLING RATHER TO BE ABSENT FROM THE BODY, AND TO BE PRESENT WITH THE LORD."

B. A valley is a deep ravine or gorge.

1. It could be a valley of sickness.

2. It could be a valley of financial loss and ruin.

3. It could be a valley of disgrace and dishonor.

4. It could be a valley of bereavement.

5. It could be a valley of age.

6. Or, as David refers to here, it could be the valley of the shadow of death.

C. Three causes of death for the child of God.

1. Believers work is finished.

(2 TIM 4:6) "FOR I AM NOW READY TO BE OFFERED, AND THE TIME OF MY DEPARTURE IS AT HAND."

2. Divine discipline.

1 CORINTHIANS 11:30, " FOR THIS CAUSE MANY ARE WEAK AND SICKLY AMONG YOU, AND MANY SLEEP."

3. Glorify God.

PHILIPPIANS 1:20 20 ACCORDING TO MY EARNEST EXPECTATION AND MY HOPE, THAT IN NOTHING I SHALL BE ASHAMED, BUT THAT WITH ALL BOLDNESS, AS ALWAYS, SO NOW ALSO CHRIST SHALL BE MAGNIFIED IN MY BODY, WHETHER IT BE BY LIFE, OR BY DEATH. (KJV)

D. We are not to fear shadows.

1. Dying is a shadow.

2. Shadow of a dog cannot bite you.

3. Shadow of a sword cannot kill you.

4. Shadow of death cannot separate the believer from life.

5. The reason some people fear death is because they aren't dying yet...God will give dying grace.

E. No matter how dark the shadow, it is only is a reminder of the presence of the Light.

1. What do we choose to focus upon?

2. The Light?

II. Peace: "...I will fear no evil: for thou art with me..."

A. The great shepherd will never forsake us.

1. When we are weak.

(2 COR 12:8-10) "FOR THIS THING I BESOUGHT THE LORD THRICE, THAT IT MIGHT DEPART FROM ME. {9} AND HE SAID UNTO ME, MY GRACE IS SUFFICIENT FOR THEE: FOR MY STRENGTH IS MADE PERFECT IN WEAKNESS. MOST GLADLY THEREFORE WILL I RATHER GLORY IN MY INFIRMITIES, THAT THE POWER OF CHRIST MAY REST UPON ME. {10} THEREFORE I TAKE PLEASURE IN INFIRMITIES, IN REPROACHES, IN NECESSITIES, IN PERSECUTIONS, IN DISTRESSES FOR CHRIST'S SAKE: FOR WHEN I AM WEAK, THEN AM I STRONG."

2. When we are weary.

(GAL 6:9) "AND LET US NOT BE WEARY IN WELL DOING: FOR IN DUE SEASON WE SHALL REAP, IF WE FAINT NOT."

(MAT 11:28) "COME UNTO ME, ALL YE THAT LABOUR AND ARE HEAVY LADEN, AND I WILL GIVE YOU REST."

3. When others forsake us.

(PSA 27:10) "WHEN MY FATHER AND MY MOTHER FORSAKE ME, THEN THE LORD WILL TAKE ME UP."

B. One thing that settles the sheep is the presence of the shepherd.

III. Presence. "...Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me."

A. Rod and Staff.

1. Rod speaks of authority - staff of aid.

2. Rod for defense - staff for direction.

3. Rod used to rule - staff for restoration.

4. Rod used for enemies - staff for sheep.

5. Rod used to govern - staff for guidance.

B. His staff keeps me straight; his rod keeps me safe.

C. This is a type of God's Word.

(2 TIM 3:16) "ALL SCRIPTURE IS GIVEN BY INSPIRATION OF GOD, AND IS PROFITABLE FOR DOCTRINE, FOR REPROOF, FOR CORRECTION, FOR INSTRUCTION IN RIGHTEOUSNESS:"

D. The Shepherd provides comfort for His sheep in midst of the valley.