FEAR NOT Psalm 23: 1-4

By Rev. Franck Aguilh
The word “fear” and its many variations such as: afraid, feared, fears, etc.  appear 180 times in the Bible, in the Old and the New Testaments. In fact, in the very first book of the Bible, in Genesis chapter 3, Adam and Eve hid from God out of fear. “I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid” Adam said “because I was naked; so, I hid (Gen. 3:10). Fear is the first negative emotion mentioned in the Bible. Sin and fear take us far from God.

In the first book of the New Testament, we find Peter, in Matthew 14; he wanted to confirm that it was truly Jesus walking on the water, and not a ghost. “If it is you tell me to come to you on the water.” Peter said. “Come” Jesus said. “Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and beginning to sink, cried out “Lord save me!” Immediately, Jesus reached out his hand and caught him, “You of little faith,” he said “why did you doubt?” (Mat. 14: 28-31) Fact is when Jesus is with us, we need not be afraid of anything. I am inviting you to meditate with me on why we should have no fear.

Let us understand that fear in the Bible has two connotations: 1) the connotation of being afraid that something wrong is about to happen to us, like Adam, expecting God’s punishment for his disobedience of God’s command. 2) the connotation of not being afraid of God but of being in awe of Him. In Proverb 1:7, as well as in Prov. 9:10, Job 28:28, and Ps. 111:10, we read: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom…” Here the word fear is actually another word for reverence and worship, suggesting that wisdom begins when we properly acknowledge who God is and offer Him the worship He deserves. It reminds us that life’s true significance is discovered when we approach God with an attitude of humility and awe, not dread and fright. The fear of the Lord does not mean cowering in terror before a powerful deity. It means living in reverence and respect before a holy God. Fear Not.

Psalm 23 may be for me the most powerful statement made by David about his assurance of God’ s protection. Though it is often used in funerals, I am so encouraged by the promises offered to us who are still in the land of the living. Verse 3 says that the shepherd guides us, his sheep, in the path of righteousness. The shepherd knows the meadow grass and quiet streams that will restore us. We will reach these places only by following Him obediently. When we choose to sin, we are choosing to go our own way. Rebelling against the shepherd’s leading is actually rebelling against our own best interest. Remember that when you are tempted to go your own way rather than the shepherd’s way.  You have nothing to fear when you obediently follow the shepherd. Fear Not.

In verse 4, David says that even though he walks through the valley of the shadow of death he shall fear no evil because the shepherd is with him. Death casts the most frightening shadow of all over our lives because we are helpless in its presence. We can wrestle with many enemies, but we just cannot wrestle with death. It has the final word. Only one person can, and he is the shepherd, the only one who can walk with us through death’s dark valley, and bring us through safely to the other side. The shepherd’s rod and staff bring comfort to us, the sheep. With the time of death being uncertain, we shall follow the shepherd with eternal confidence. Fear Not.

No matter how much we try, to eliminate fear, it confronts us again and again. 1Peter 5:7 says, “Cast all your care on God, because He cares for you.” In Isaiah 41:10 we read: “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Our Lord never leaves us alone. He stays with us throughout our journey. So, let us release our fears and worries and trust in God’s presence. Fear Not.

Let us pray.  Omniscient, Omnipotent, Omnipresent God, we praise you. We glorify and magnify your name. We confess dear Lord that either because of pride or ignorance we often stray away from you, forgetting that you had said to us not to lean on our own understanding, but to acknowledge you in all our ways and that you will guide our paths. Guide us back home to you, O Lord, like the prodigal son, and may we never be in want of anything. May we experience not a moment of fear, teach O good shepherd to obediently follow you as you walk with us even through the darkest valley. In the matchless name of Jesus, the Christ, we pray. Amen and Amen.

Written by Rev. Franck Aguilh