NISAN 22
No Evil
“…I fear no evil …” (Ps 23:4)
One of the words given as the opposite of
‘fear’ is the word ‘peace’, which in Hebrew is the word shalom.[1] I have had shalom defined to me as ‘the absence of the forces that cause
and create chaos,’ which, while true in one sense, in another sense, it is
not. What I am referring to is walking through the “valley of the shadow of
death”.
We can recognize and acknowledge the fact
that there is evil and chaos in this
world; however, we must not allow it to interfere with our focus on our
Master. Developing ‘tunnel vision’ –
where our eyes are focused on one thing
(person, element, or substance) only – requires discipline, something many of
us have yet not perfected. It is when we
expand our trust and belief – our emunah
– in the One we recognize as our
Deliverer, our Shepherd, that our ‘tunnel vision’ will strengthen.
And that is not to say that we do not ever
find ourselves in situations where we are fearful. Do you suppose Daniel was a little afraid
when he found himself in a pit with hungry lions (see Dan chapter 6)? What of Joseph, facing years in prison (see
Gen 39:20)? We have listed for us in
Hebrews chapter 11 the exploits of many, those that trusted in the One who
created them to deliver them from all
the ‘forces that create and cause chaos and evil’. Should we not do the same?
“Because you have made יהוה – My refuge, the Most High – your dwelling place, no evil befalls you, And a plague does not come near your tent …” (Ps 91:9-10)
“YAHWEH knows the days of the upright; yea,
their inheritance shall be forever. They shall not be ashamed in an evil time;
and they shall be full in days of famine.” (Ps 37:18-19
HRB)
“And lead (bring) us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and
the glory forever. Amen.” (Mat 6:13 AMPC)
©2020
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