The message was brought by Rev. Tim Powers on August 2, 2026.
Psalm 23:4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. 5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
Last week I mentioned that in the first three verses David was bragging about God. He’s the providing Shepherd. He gives peace so we can lie down in green pastures and receive nourishment to grow. He restores our soul. In verses 4-6 the narrative shifts as David talks to his Shepherd.
Troubles, problems, surgeries, hardships–we all are having them. Many are in or getting ready to go through a valley. Valleys take many forms. They are real! We may walk through the valley of the shadow of death but remember that shadows can’t hurt us. Who conquered death? THE SHEPHERD! Death is unknown. We’re all afraid of the unknown. We don’t know what’s on the other end of the valley. The Shepherd is there. Curl up to Him. He’ll go through every valley with us. Death is now a shadow because of Him. There are a cause and effect in the next statement signified by the colon. I will fear no evil: (WHY?) for thou art with me. Evil is around us. It is scary. Why will we not fear this evil? The Shepherd is with us.
He goes on to say thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Shepherds were strong; they defended their sheep. They carried a rod that was considered a weapon that could be thrown at an enemy of prey trying to get to the sheep. The staff and rod both could be used as chastisement for sheep to pull them away from danger or prod them. We know the Lord chastises us when we stray. Don’t get beyond the reach of the staff. We can always do what you want. We can be rebellious and stray far away. Don’t be a stubborn sheep. While we are never truly out of His reach, if we go out on our own, He may leave us to find out what happens. Stay close to the Shepherd. A staff was made of wood representing the cross. I’m thankful for the staff of the Lord. I’m thankful for chastisement. It means I am His for He only chastises His children.
Verse 5 says He provides even in the presence of enemies. He’s the Good Shepherd. What was in a shepherd’s bag? Every one of them carried oil. It was for healing, a medicine. If a sheep was hurt or infested with flies he poured it on them. He cared about them and for them. This represents not only a poured-out blessing; it shows us a protector and healer. Oil represents the Holy Spirit. When we get saved, the Holy Spirit comes to live in us. We need to get in the Word of God to nurture and grow in the Spirit. This enables our cup to run over. Others will receive a blessing when this happens to us.
Verse 6 talks about goodness and mercy following us. Goodness is getting what we don’t deserve. Mercy is not getting what we do deserve. Stay with the Shepherd so that we can truly say I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. We will be with Him forever. Now He cares. He cleans. He heals. He anoints. Then He’ll take us to His home forever. I’m so thankful for the Shepherd. That’s why we love our Shepherd.
Sum up Psalm 23 like this: In verse 1: Jesus is the Good Shepherd who provides. In verse 2 He’s the Shepherd who leads. Verse 3: The Shepherd who restores. Verse 4: The Shepherd who walks with us. Verse 5: The Shepherd who is the host that prepares a table for us and anoints us. Verse 6: The Shepherd who brings believers home.
Adwolfe Freewill Baptist Church 