Shepherd King, Part 5: Even Though

 

Hey, Cobblestone,

 Our slow-roll through Psalm 23 takes us, today, to the strangest two-word phrase in the English language: Even though. Even though leads off verse 4, and precedes I walk through the valley of the shadow of death. Let’s pause right there, and marvel at the strangeness of Even though.

     Lovers of logic have trouble with Even though. Statisticians, too, and planners. Evidence points one way; Even though points the other. Circumstances and probabilities and calculations congeal into a foregone conclusion; Even though says, “Your calculations are fine, but your conclusion is incorrect.” Even though doesn’t deny the facts, but it does presume a different outcome.

     For the people of God, Even though has been the clearest declaration of faith through every generation. Walking through the valley of the shadow of death, only the Father knows how many times our brothers and sisters have chosen Even though, in whatever language was available to them – and us. Those three syllables attach themselves to a spirit-level faith that, while always feeling not quite sufficient, is confident yet in calling for more.

     What is the valley of the shadow of death to you? What is it that reminds you most vividly of mortality and picks away at your hope? Our minds could go a hundred directions here, or more. Preachers, at this point, will find it hard to resist the temptation to build a list for you. Being a pastor, which is something like a shepherd, I can lay off that particular temptation. You don’t need my help anyway – get with Jesus and make your own list. And then start practicing your Even though’s.

     We really ought not to leave verse 4 without wrestling with one more phrase at least: I will fear no evil. Work with me here, and let’s not get into why it’s possible to fear no evil until our next letter. For now, let’s get used to saying it. Knowing full well that it’s not totally true in our lives now, let’s say it anyway, and someday it will be.

     The Shepherd King empowers Even though. Many centuries ago, three young Hebrew men made another three-syllable declaration of faith in God: But if not… (Daniel 3:18). Nebuchadnezzar ordered three men thrown into the furnace, but when he looked in, he saw four. The young men were delivered that day, but they declared ahead of time that they were prepared to wait for another deliverance. The one who accompanied them in the fire – or the valley of the shadow of death, we might say – makes either deliverance a good deliverance.

     “Even though __________________________, I will fear no evil.”

 

Grace and Peace (even though),

 

John