August 10

TODAY'S BIBLE VERSE

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. Psalms 23:4

​Memorize this Verse:
Cover the verse text and using just the first letters of each word try to recite the entire passage.
4. Y T I W T T V O T S O D I W F N E F T A W M T R A T S T C M

Notes on verse:

“The valley of the shadow of death” is not a state, a condition, or an abiding place. Rather, the beloved of the Lord pass “through” death to get to the other side, where they experience eternal privileges, pleasures and joy. The shepherd used his “rod”, an oak club about two feet long, to defend the sheep against wild beasts. An enemy has to first get through the Shepherd.

Phraseology used to convey a perilously threatening environment (compare Job 10:21-22; 38:17; Psalms 44:19; 107:10; Jer. 2:6; Luke 1:79).

“Thy rod and thy staff”: The shepherd’s club and crook are viewed as comforting instruments of protection and direction, respectively.

The protection of the sheep is the Shepherd. Death may be all around us, as it is when the wolves come to attack the sheep, but as long as you stay near the Shepherd you are safe. There is an end to the valley above, because it says (through the valley). We must walk through a few valleys, before we can appreciate the mountain top. Mankind in general, fears death. The Christian is not without hope as the world is though. We have hope of the resurrection. Fear shows lack of faith. I have noticed in my walk through life that I grow more in the valley, than on the mountain top. Jesus defeated death when He rose from the grave. We Christians should look at death of the body differently from the way the world views it. Truly death to this world is just the opening to a new chapter in your book of life.

1 Corinthians 15:53-54 ” For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal [must] put on immortality.” “So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.”

We are comforted to know that the Lord will never leave us, even in the transition from this life to our life eternal. The Shephard’s staff was used to nudge the stray back into the fold; his rod was used as a weapon to keep the enemy away from the sheep. It is a comfort to know that the Lord is watching over us nudging us back into the fold. It is also very comforting to know that He fights the enemy for us.

TODAY'S BIBLE READING

August 10
Today's Bible Reading Plan selections can be found below. If you don't have a Bible with you, just click the references to read each passage online:

Old Testament
Nehemiah 3  —  7.5 minutes
Proverbs 10:1-16  —  3.0 minutes

New Testament
Luke 16:10-18  —  2.5 minutes
1 Timothy 6:11-21  —  2.5 minutes

Total Average Read Time — 15.5 minutes