I had heard about Ben Peterson, the Olympic wrestling gold medal winner. I had even talked about him. But there I was sitting with him at the table, talking to him. It was a totally different experience.
Verse 4 is the midway point in Psalm 23. In the first three verses David has been talking about the Shepherd. Then suddenly, in verse 4, there is a change and David begins to talk to the Shepherd. “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for Thou art with me.”
The personal pronouns “I” and “Thou” enter the conversation. It becomes a most intimate discourse of deep affection.
Philip Keller explains why. He says, “The long treks into the high country with their summer range begin here… During this time the flock is entirely along with the shepherd. They are in intimate contact with him and under his most personal attention day and night. That is why these last verses are couched in such intimate first-person language.” You see, this is where the sheep are on the move. The dangers are more prevalent and the challenges to survival have increased. The security and safety of the flock now depends on their closeness to the shepherd.
So – are you on the move with the Lord? Are you progressing toward higher ground spiritually? Well, if you are, then you will notice that instead of talking about the Lord, you’re beginning to talk to Him. Daily and intimate fellowship with Christ has become essential. There’s never a moment when the two of you are not sharing life together. So that’s why in verse 4 the pronouns change from the third person – “I will fear no evil, for Thou art with me.”
Say – don’t just talk about Jesus. Talk to Him! It’s much more personal that way.