Kept!

Kept!

Psalms 23:4 AMP

[4] ¶Even though I walk through the [sunless] valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod [to protect] and Your staff [to guide], they comfort and console me.

As is the practice, we consider the life of the writer, and see the application of the lessons in the verse to that person's life. Did he or she just tell us what was ideal, but would not live by the same ideals? The man credited with the words of the verse above was the man that God Himself referred to as a man after His own heart. Consider this: a mortal man, who was not going to live forever on this side of eternity, was named by God Himself this way. What made the difference? A quick look at this man's life will tell us the answer. David started off as a shepherd boy, taking care of his father's sheep. Maybe it was the quiet, or just the solitude and 'aloneness' around him, but the boy put that time to good use. Many of the songs in the book of Psalms were written out of the personal experiences of the boy and man David. What are the things that motivate you to hold on when things are falling apart? 

For the boy David, he took several lessons from his time with the sheep. There was no physical protection, but there was the divine presence of God with him. The fact that God was with the boy did not stop the lion or the bear from confronting the boy, but the mighty hand of God was with the boy to preserve and keep him and the sheep safe. Let it be clear that the assurance of God's presence will not prevent you from persecution; the fact that God is with you is the reason why there will be trouble around you. The boy David had this same experience too. At a time, it seemed he was walking through the valley of the shadow of death, but there was a bigger presence in play, and that is the God who is Master over all, including death. God being there did not stop him from going down the valley, but God being there was the reason why he did not stay there in the valley. Make sure that wherever you go, God leads you there. He will keep you there if He allows you to go through there.

It then means that God will not lead me into a place where His presence is unable to keep me, particularly when it is as a result of my own desires or manipulations. In this instance, the boy David was certain of the presence of God, as he could see His rod of protection and His staff of guidance in place every step of the way. Consider the work of the rod and staff: to comfort and console. Why comfort and consolation if there are no uncomfortable situations? Comfort and consolation are fully appreciated when there is discomfort. No matter what comes my way, I can look ahead to the presence of God to preserve, protect and perfect all that concern me. The one and most important condition for this to be in place is that I am part of His sheep. Would I surrender to Him, or do I want to pursue my own selfish interests? God does not force Himself on anyone, and He will not go against the exercise of my freewill, but be sure He will keep safe whatever has been committed into His hand. Are you one of His sheep? God's time of favour is here.