“Fear not, for I am with you.” Those are words that God spoke on different occasions in the Old Testament, and are words that we should have resonating in ourselves as each day unfolds. Psalm 23:4 (NASB) says: “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.”
It’s a bit naïve for any of us to think that we won’t be faced with walking through a “scary place” or two in the coming year…. However, it should be perfectly natural for us to be determined that even in the scary places we will fear no evil, because the Lord is with us and His “rod” and “staff” comfort us.
His “rod” is a symbol of His authority and we take comfort in that, not simply because Jesus has been given “all authority in heaven and on earth” (Matthew 28:18) and “a name that is above all names” (Philippians 2:9); but also because we have been “commissioned” (authorized and deputized) and sent out as “ambassadors of Christ” to function in the authority and power of His Name in our daily lives. Whenever the reality of “who” and “what” we are as a “new creature in Christ” and a “Child of God” really begins to get rooted in us; we may find ourselves walking into those “scary places” with our head up, shoulders back, a little of that “squinty-eye, Clint Eastwood look” on our face, and some “Augustus McCrae, Robert Duvall – Lonesome Dove” swagger in our step. There is “comfort” in being “confident” in the God that dwells in us!
His “staff” is a symbol of His support, guidance, etc. His “staff” provides comfort because it is something we can “lean on”.
So, as we step into our “showdowns” in the dusty streets of 2019, we can have the Clint Eastwood “squint” on and the Duvall-Gus McCrae “swagger” going because we are an authorized, empowered, Child of God; clothed in the “armor of God”, having the Presence of Almighty God dwelling in us, and empowered in and through the mighty name of Jesus Christ. We need to have “Fear not for I am with you.” in one holster and “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” firmly in the other. We can also have a little “pep in our step” as we hear Jesus and the heavenly choir singing their rendition of “Lean On Me”.
“Fear not [there is nothing to fear], for I am with you; do not look around you in terror and be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen and harden you to difficulties, yes, I will help you; yes, I will hold you up and retain you with My [victorious] right hand of rightness and justice.” Isaiah 41:10 (Amplified Bible)
“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.” Psalm 23:4 (NASB)
“…My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness…” 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NKJV)
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13 (NKJV)
*** Fred Wilson *** is an author, former coach, teacher and Life and Liberty News Contributor
