Rhythms- Week 2- God Protects

October 13, 2024

Rhythms: Walking the Pace of Jesus

“God Protects”

(Psalm 23:4)

Psalm 23 (NLT)

1 The Lord is my shepherd;
I have all that I need.

2 He lets me rest in green meadows;
he leads me beside peaceful streams.

3 He renews my strength.
He guides me along right paths,
bringing honor to his name.

4 Even when I walk
through the darkest valley,[a]
I will not be afraid,
for you are close beside me.
Your rod and your staff
protect and comfort me.

5 You prepare a feast for me
in the presence of my enemies.
You honor me by anointing my head with oil.
My cup overflows with blessings.

6 Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me
all the days of my life,
and I will live in the house of the Lord
forever.

• The Psalms take human experience . They do not seek to real , hard or human .

“Most of the Bible speaks to us, but the Psalms speak for us”

— St. Athanasius (early church leader of the 300’s A.D.)

4 Even when I walk
through the darkest valley,[a]

• Note- It is not but I walk through the darkest valley.
• “Darkest valley”= “very dark,” “deathly dark,” “very deep shadow,” or “shadow of death”
  • The word can refer to itself or in general.
• Note- The Lord doesn’t us from the valley, but promises to us in the valley.

“The cave you least want to is home to the you must slay to obtain the you most desire.”—Viking Proverb

I will not be afraid,
for you are close beside me.

“You have plenty of reasons to be afraid, but you have better reasons not to fear.”

—Dr. Michael DeFazio

Your rod and your staff
protect and comfort me.

• • Rod– is for , not the !
  • Staff- is for , , of the sheep
  • What might God be you about? What areas is he saying, “This isn’t for you. You don’t to go there?”

Jesus loves you! He is the good shepherd. Even if you don’t feel him, he is there. Trust him in your valley. Cling to him, and he will see you through.

(I am indebted in this message, in large part, to a CIY sermon

by Dr. Michael DeFazio, Professor at Ozark Christian College)