Nothing to Fear

I decided I had nothing to fear. I was blessed with the opportunity to visit Israel last month. I admit that I had a few fears that I faced in deciding whether or not to go. After lots of prayer, I decided to trust God and go.

On day six of the trip, our bus drove down a long and winding road with hairpin turns through the Judean desert. I could see drop-offs out the window. After several miles, we backed into a “wide” area on the side of the road to turn around so that we could exit the bus on the opposite side of the road. I held my breath, trusting we would not go over the edge as the back wheels of our bus neared the brink of the cliff.

The first thing I saw as I stepped down from the bus was a double-rainbow brightening the dark sky above a cross at the top of the hill. Pretty little flowers poked out between the rocks beneath my feet. God had painted a beautiful scene to greet us!

When the rainbow started to fade, I carefully ventured closer to the edge of the steep drop-off. The valley below was deep and hard to see into. I could hear the water below before I could see it.

Across the valley, I could see St. George’s Monastery built into a cliff of the Judean Mountains. Little dots moved about on the mountainside above and to the left of the monastery.  A closer look through my zoom lens revealed that the dots were a shepherd and his sheep.

My senses were heightened. Physically, I could feel the wind. Spiritually, I felt the presence of God. Emotionally, I felt a wonderful peace.

I stood in awe, taking in all that I heard, saw and felt. I had prayed before I ever left home that God would open my eyes on this trip to see what He wanted me to see so that I could share those things with others. This was one of those moments that He really went above and beyond what I ever could have imagined. God was allowing me to not just read the words of Psalm 23 (as our group did together), but to also see, hear and feel Psalm 23.

“The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want” (Ps. 23:1). I can call the Lord my shepherd because I have a personal relationship with Him. Jesus says in John 10:14-16, “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me—just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep.”

Because the Lord is my shepherd, I have nothing to fear. He cares about me so much, that He laid down His life for me. He knows what is best for me and provides everything I need; I lack nothing. I trust Him for my daily bread, for wisdom, for guidance, for my salvation and peace.

“He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul.” (Ps. 23:2-3a). “Quiet waters” literally means “waters of resting places.” I sat down on the side of the mountain listening to the water while meditating and praying. My soul was at rest in this peaceful setting, and my heart exploded with joy. I could have stayed for hours, and I still long to return to that place.

“He guides me in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake” (Ps. 23:3b). My prayer for the past year had been for absolute surrender to God, and that He would move any mountain standing in my way of serving Him. I know that I can trust in His name as He leads me, for His way is perfect.

“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for you are with me” (Ps. 23:4a). Jesus told us, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33b). I have walked through dark valleys, and I know that I will face more of them. No matter what darkness lies ahead, no matter how hard the enemy attacks, I have nothing to fear. The Good Shepherd will walk with me through the darkest valley, even death.

“Your rod and your staff they comfort me” (Ps. 23:4b). Just as a shepherd uses his rod and staff to fight off wolves and to pull his sheep back when they wander in the wrong direction, so Jesus does the same with me. He defends me and helps me fight against the enemy. He guides me and helps me get back on track when I get distracted.

“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows (Ps. 23:5). He welcomes me into His presence as an honored guest as my enemies watch but are unable to keep me from this magnificent feast He has prepared. He anoints me and blesses me overflowing in ways far greater than I could ever ask or imagine.

“Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever (Ps. 23:6). The word “follow” literally means “pursue.” That’s what Jesus does; He pursues me with His goodness and love. He died for me and pursues me so that I can dwell in His house forever! I am His, and He is mine for eternity!

I will forever remember when I walked along the edge of “the Valley of the Shadow of Death” in the Judean Mountains. Those memories will come alive every time I read the 23^rd Psalm. I know the Good Shepherd, and He knows me. The God of the universe, the King of Kings, is my Shepherd, and I shall not want. He gives me peaceful rest and restores my soul. He leads me and guides me in the right path as I trust in His great name. I have nothing to fear, not even death, for He walks with me through the darkest valley. He blesses me overflowing in ways far greater than I need or deserve. His goodness and love pursues me wherever I go; He will never let go of me. In His Father’s house are many rooms, and He is preparing a place for me where I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever!

If you are part of the Good Shepherd’s flock, let Him lead you beside the still waters and restore your soul. Let Him guide you in the right path; you have nothing to fear.

If you do not have a personal relationship with Jesus but want Him to be your Shepherd too, talk to one of us who follow Him. Or, simply talk to Him yourself. He is a good, good shepherd who lays down His life for His sheep.

“For God so loved the world that He gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).