Life and Suffering
(Psalm 23:4~6)
　
Introduction
We are born into this world to live a life of suffering. Our life is a life of constant suffering. When I look back over my 70 years of life; I can see that I have passed through dense smoke filled with suffering. Ever since Adam committed sin; mankind has been a slave to suffering and living in a negative environment filled with sin, temptation, lust, greed, diseases, poverty, hate, despair, death and the list goes on. Therefore, what kind of attitude do we need when we live a life of suffering such as this?

1. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
1) Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death.
① Know suffering
② Troubles hidden in our hearts (Psalm 25:17)
2) Fear no evil.
① Fear is more dreadful than the suffering itself. (2 Timothy 1:7)
② Job’s confession * (Job 3:25-26)
③ Fearful hearts, imaginations, and languages destroy life.
- Feelings of a man who commits suicide (Proverb 18:21, Isaiah 41:10)
3) Think of the Lord who is with us, pray and praise. * (Psalm 91:5-7)
① The Lord’s rod comforts and guides me. (Isaiah 43:1-2)
② The Lord’s staff protects me. (Deuteronomy 32:10, Hebrew 13:5-6)

2. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
1) Our enemies come only to steal and kill and destroy.
2) When the enemy comes; a sumptuous feast will follow. (Romans 12:19)
3) The Lord anoints our heads with oil and makes our cups to overflow. (Psalm 92:9-10, Acts 2:17)
- Suffering or troubles are followed by blessings corresponding to or exceeding the level of suffering and troubles. (Jacob 1:2-4, 1 Corinthians 2:9)

3. Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
1) Surely believe and have expectations in the Lord.
① God’s goodness ? He makes things better. (Psalm 100:5, Romans 8:28)
② God’s compassion ? He shows His grace (Psalm 103:8, Ephesians 2:8)
2) To dwell in the house of the Lord. * (Revelation 21:1-7)

Conclusion
We must make sure that we get a firm hold of the heart God gave us when we pass through the valley of suffering.