Our Our Way: We fear no evil - Psalm 23:4

"Yea, though I walk through the Valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for Thou are with Me. Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me."

Out our way, you would seldom see any resemblance to the modern Western town and the Hollywood version of it. Our streets are paved, we park cars and trucks instead of tie up horses, and seldom, if ever, do you see a modern cowhand walking about with jingling spurs or wearing his revolver in town. But up on the Tiger Ridge you would often see both.

Spurs were sometimes a really helpful tool as even the best cowpony occasionally needed a reminder or encouragement to pay attention. And while the "open range" has been lately cut up and divided into pastured areas separated by barbed wire fences, it is still a pretty vast area, and cattle are not the only critters roaming the range. The "deer and the antelope" are plentiful to this day, but so are coyotes and the occasional lion.  

I have shared before the insights of an old friend who owned the Empire Ranch back in the Wyoming sandhills. If anything, it was more desolate and isolated than the Tiger Ridge and other ranges near the Hi-Line I rode over the years. But Cecil would point out that while coyotes were more common and visible in that area, they also kept their distance. Thus, the cattle were not spooked by the sight of them, nor did they pay much attention to their howling, for we were with them.

You see, coyotes and mountain lions are not stupid, and while most other critters might fear them, they feared the cowboys far more. Cecil told me how he tried an experiment one day and kept his .45 in a saddlebag out of sight while checking the herds. The coyotes began to get bolder and come ever closer as he rode. They got within a few hundred feet and were getting ever closer until Cecil reached in his bag and hauled out the .45. He didn't shoot - he didn't have to - they got the message. Immediately, the coyotes took off and stayed outside of pistol range the rest of the day.  

Now, I have reminded you in the past that David was a shepherd boy who took on the mighty Goliath with a sling. Many folks today don't realize how deadly a weapon a sling was, often used in war as a major offensive weapon against armored infantry and cavalry. The "rod and staff" were also weapons to be feared, for recall David had not only faced down a giant warrior like Goliath, but like many a shepherd before him, had attacked and killed wolves, lions and even bears. Range sheep were calm when the shepherd was nigh - and it was the predators who panicked and shrink with fear.

Hence the image of the shepherd as a protector, as well as a guide and healer, was a common one. Israel was always surrounded by enemies who looked to destroy the people and the faith. For 4,000 years Israel has been under attack from outside and from within by those who prowl the "Valley of the Shadow" (The "Dark Side?" ) We see foolish lambs who leave the flock and are devoured by the darkness. We hear the howling of the coyotes who seek to cause us to panic and run to their jaws. The "wolves in sheep's clothing" abound in every generation leading the gullible astray and into the darkness. But those who stay near the shepherd soon learn to ignore them for they know: 

"I am God - there is no one who can deliver from My hand; I work and who can hinder Me?" ( Isaiah 43-13)

The New Year has begun - and the howlings of the creatures of the dark who seek to frighten you into mindless panic where they can most easily attack and consume you are being raised. But look up and see that as terrifying as they may appear, there is One they fear even more - and He is with you!

Be blessed and be a blessing!

Brother John

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The Rev. John Bruington is the retired pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Havre. He now lives in Colorado, but continues to write "Out Our Way." He can be reached for comment or dialogue at [email protected].