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)
Whether for believers or non-believers, this psalm is a source of comfort and assurance. Each verse gives us a message of hope, victory and happiness. When we read it, we feel reassured because it reveals to us the unlimited grace of God. The fourth verse removes our fears of the enemy because it tells us that there is no reason to fear when we know that God is with us.
Isn't it wonderful to have such confidence? If God allowed us to have such a song from David, it is to renew our faith. However, there is a huge difference between the expression of David's heart and ours when we are reading this passage. David spoke of the God with whom he had an intimate relationship. His words expressed the very nature of God, the way he knew him. They came from his faith and beliefs and not from his expectations, unlike those who read it just to get God's blessing and protection.
A personal relationship with God is more important to Him than your knowledge of His works. Like David, view this verse as a prayer to God for who He is, for His character instead of using it as a deliverance prayer to attract His blessings without a personal connection to Him. David's attitude should lead us to better understand this verse what Matthew 6:33 says: “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."
May the grace and the peace of God be with you all.
Amen