OCTOBER 24, 2023
“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me…” (Psalm 23:4)
“Between that part of Christ’s flock which is on earth and that part which is gone to heaven, death lies, like a deep valley that must be passed in going from one to the other.” -Thomas Scott
In reality, we have been walking all our lives under the shadow of death. We all have an appointment that we must keep with death, and since we do not know when we will face our last enemy, we are constantly under his shadow. David said, “There is but a step between me and death.” Even so, we can say with the Psalmist, “I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me.” Not only has our great Savior taken the sting out of death for His people, He promises to be with us in that hour.
The Psalmist David, in a very real way, walked in the shadow of death. He was often surrounded by“enemies” who were seeking to take his life. He said, in the next verse, that the Lord had prepared a table for him in the presence of his enemies. It matters little in what period of his life he penned these glorious words, it seems that death was always near. In his youth, it was either slay or be slain by a lion and a bear. Because of these victories, he was emboldened to face Goliath, who was more than twice his size. As God anointed, his life was ever in danger until Saul was removed and he was made King of Israel. As a mighty warrior and commander of armies, the shadow was ever over him, yet he feared no evil.
How is it with you and me? How will it be when we come to the chilly waters of Jordan?
“When the darkness appears,
And the night draws near;
And the day is past and gone,
At the river I stand,
Guide my feet, hold my hand;
Take my hand, Precious Lord,
Lead me home.”
“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me…“ Charles Spurgeon wrote, “Trembling brother, you would feel perfectly safe if you had your eyes opened to see the companies of angels that surround you; you would rejoice in your security if you saw horses of fire, and chariots of fire encompassing you. But such defenses are as nothing compared with those which are always around you. God is better than myriads of chariots or thousands of angels; He is among them.”
The Psalmist has presented us with a scenario personifying death as a gigantic form that casts a shadow which in essence represents the form but not the substance of death for Christ’s sheep. The shadow owes its existence not only to the object shadowed but to the light behind it. Death as the substance of the shadow is not the subject here for it has been removed. What remains is only the shadow as we pass through this deep valley over which it is cast. Here, death is represented as standing by the side of the valley through which we must walk, while the light of glory casts death’s shadow over our path. There are celestial lights where the walker is headed. As the traveler passes through this valley of the shadow of death there is nothing for him to fear, for the Lord (His Lord) is with him.
Though it is true that you must walk this darksome valley, and nobody else can walk it for you, it is not true that you must walk it by yourself. God Himself will accompany you and guide you safely through to the Celestial City and to the lights of glory.
The valley is not an abiding place, it is a passageway. Christ has conquered death, removing the substance, leaving only the shadow.
Speak Your Mind