Psalm 23: Courage and Confidence

As he that fears God fears nothing else, so, he that sees God sees nothing else.

-John Donne

There are few things worse than being encouraged to try something new as if it’s an exciting adventure and later learn that is NOT the case. You’re told “it’s easy...you’ll love it”, and then once you’ve committed, you discover this task is far more difficult than you were led to believe. 

For my first real job, I washed dishes at a family restaurant. I was told that it was easy, that the industrial grade dishwasher did all the work, and I just put clean dishes away. Simple, right? Little did I know, I’d be covered in soggy food bits, yelled at by waitresses from behind mountains of dirty dishes, all while standing on my feet my entire shift in a sweltering, steamy kitchen. 

It was not easy, and I did not love it.  

Thankfully, God doesn’t do that to us. He never tries to deceive us. He won’t lie and say following Him only leads to easy days and happiness. In fact, we are told time and time again that we will face difficulties.  "Trials of various kinds" as Jesus' brother James writes in his letter.   

But as honest as God is about the hardship, He is equally as honest about the courage and confidence He freely gives.  

Psalm 23:4 famously says, “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil.” If that isn’t a courageous statement, I don’t know what is!  Where does that bravery come from?  

“I will fear no evil, because You are with me.” The Lord of all the earth, is right by our side! That is what brings us courage.  

As David wrote those words, "You are with me" he meant them.  God spoke to him and through him as David authored many Psalms.  The Lord guided him through battles and rebuked him through other Godly men when he needed it.  God was with David, and He's with us too.   

God's nearness and presence doesn’t provide some kind of good vibe, warm and fuzzy, well intentioned, make you feel better kind of comfort. He is really with us.  If you believe in Christ, if you believe in Heaven, then believe and know that He is with you.  "The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you." (Romans 8:11 NLT)  

David had courage and confidence because God was with him.  

"So, we say with confidence, 'The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.  What can mere mortals do to me?'" (Hebrews 13:6 NIV)  

Courage and confidence because He is with you.