Walking Through Valleys

O. T. #1199  "
April 27, 2018
Psalms 23-Part 4
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. Psalms 23:4


LET IT GLOW

In verses 1-3, we saw the shepherd as a guide scouting the landscape to lead his flock to food, water, and rest. The landscape in Israel was mountainous with valleys between them. In order for the sheep to get to green grass and cool, still water, the sheep would sometimes have to pass through a dark valley, where the sun was hidden by the mountains. When his sheep faced a dark valley, the shepherd was by their side, reassuring them with a gentle pat from his rod and staff. The shepherd's presence was comforting to his sheep as they traveled along this dangerous path where fierce animals, such as wolves, lay in wait to devour them for their next dinner.

The rod was a short, club-like stick worn on the belt and used against animals and thieves. The staff could serve as a walking stick as well as an instrument keeping the sheep from straying off the path.

I have always heard this verse taught that the "valley of the shadow of death" was the grave. So I looked up the meaning of the Hebrew word for shadow, which refers to the grave; calamity.

Life Application Study Bible enlightens us:

Death can cast a frightening shadow over us because we are entirely helpless in its presence. We can struggle with other enemies-pain, suffering, disease, injury-but strength and courage cannot overcome death. It has the final word. Only one person can walk with us through death's dark valley and bring us safely to the other side-the God of life, our Shepherd. Because life is uncertain, we should follow this Shepherd who offers us eternal comfort.

Are we ready to make that walk today with Jesus? We may be leaving behind a diseased body, but our soul with transform into another dimension of eternity. Jesus told us that He is the way, the truth, and the life. By trusting our Savior, we leave a dark valley where the grave covers our body and enter the heavenly and glorious new home forever with Jesus. He is with us all the way.

LET IT GROW

In the meantime, we may encounter valleys of calamity in our life here on earth. So many situations may overwhelm us-financial, vocational, relational, health, trauma, accidents, betrayal, death. Our calamity can be a crisis for us. We may not know what to do, feel powerless to fix or change it and feel we have no one who can do it for us.

Tony Evans suggests we position our self to hear from God as we seek Him. No matter the crisis, God is in control. Your crisis isn't the final word. Not every knock down is a knock out. Pray, recognizing God's person, God's history, and God's Word. Search for a specific Word from God that applies to our crisis. The battle is not ours, but it is God's.

[Glorify God as a loving, merciful God; remind Him that He gave victory to people in the Bible (Abraham, David, Paul, Jesus) and He can do it for us; Quote the promises of God, which are true and a living word. Let God have the battle and watch Him work to bring victory.]

Stacy wrote on (in)courage, devotional website:
Jesus is with us in our darkest place, in the middle of our mess, when crying behind the locked bathroom door when the doctor says the words we have been praying against for months. Are you in a valley today, friend?

When Jesus comes to lead us through a valley of calamity, it will be a gently, pleasant walk through a deep, dark, and dirty valley with evil shadows of the serpent who desires to sting us or kill us. Give Jesus our hand, life to lead us.

LET IT GO

Let Jesus be my Good Shepherd who leads me through dark valleys in my life.
Follow, trust, obey, glorify Him.