In the first message of our series called Even Though, Pastor Mel explored Psalm 23:4, emphasizing that biblical hope is a joyful anticipation of good rooted in God's external promises rather than mere wishful thinking. Drawing parallels between faith—which often relates to past, present, and relational trust in Jesus—and future-oriented hope, he focused on the verse's powerful declaration: even while walking through the valley of deep darkness or the shadow of death, believers need not fear evil because the Lord, as the Good Shepherd, is personally present with them. Mel highlighted the comforting role of the shepherd's rod and staff as tools of protection and guidance, connected God's provision and protection in verses 1-4 to Jesus fulfilling Old Testament promises in John 10, and wove in the Christmas story from Luke 2 and Matthew 1, where angels repeatedly proclaim "fear not" because Immanuel—"God with us"—has come to bring peace and great joy. Ultimately, he acknowledged the honest struggle that even though we know God is with us, fear can still arise, yet the presence of the Shepherd remains our source of unshakable comfort and hope.