Faith in the Providential Presence of God • Deshen Daily

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. (Psalm 23:4, KJV)

Did you know that God never appeared to David as He did to many other Old Testament figures? Even Solomon, David’s son, saw God in a dream, but God intentionally never gave David any direct visions of Himself—no dreams, divine appearances, or special visions. However, David’s daily life since he was anointed as a boy is a testament to a man whose life God watched with utmost attention. David enjoyed what I call the Providential Presence of God.

In Psalm 23:4, David says, “I will fear no evil; for thou art with me.” The key words here are “with me”, meaning God was with him. David knew God was with him, and he believed it completely. And here is the crucial part for us to grasp: David never saw angels around him. He never saw God personally in a vision or divine appearance. He was anointed as a boy and certainly heard the words of the prophet Samuel that God had chosen him and was with him. He knew the Hebrew Scriptures and, as a Jewish boy, knew God was with Israel. Although he had no physical proof of God’s presence with him, he believed firmly that God was with him—He had faith in God’s invisible yet powerfully working presence.

David was so sure that God was with him that even when he went to battle, he knew the strength he had to fight came from God:

“For thou hast girded me with strength unto the battle: Thou hast subdued under me those that rose up against me.” (Psalm 18:39, KJV)

Again, he never saw God in battle, but he knew God was the one subduing his enemies under him.

Here’s the lesson: God is with you as He was with David, but believing He is with you makes a difference in your daily life. He could be with us, but if we do not know it or believe it, we will not reap the practical benefits. We must believe in God’s providential presence. You do not need to see God in a dream, see His angels around you, or see Jesus appear to you in your room to know and believe He is with you.

Meditate

Consider these words from Psalm 23:4 as they apply to your life: “I will fear no evil; for thou art with me.”

Apply the Word

How strong is your faith that God is with you in everything you do and wherever you go? Become conscious of His presence, and know that He is with you wherever you go and in whatever you do, even if you do not see Him.