Have you traveled through the valley of the shadow of death?
What is that place the Psalmist David talks of probably near the end of his
life in Ps 23? We do not always walk
through “green pasture.” Not always; sometimes He who knoweth best; in kindness leadeth
me in weary ways where heavy shadows be- (unknown).
There are places and times when green pasture paths plunge
into dark valleys.
This conjures up
images of deep darkness, not a place we want or like to go. It may be darkness
of depression or trial, loss or illness.
The thoughts are associated with death or deep anxiety, a mine shaft
experience.
John Bunyan, in
Pilgrim’s Progress, referred to it as “dark as pitch” where
hobgoblins live, or where live the dragons of “Middle-earth” in the trilogy of the
Lord of the Ring. It is where King David fell and would have
stayed had not He that is able pulled him out.
Paul tells us, “We must go through many hardships to enter
the kingdom of God.” (Acts 14:22). Perhaps it reminds you of an employer
saying, “clean out your desk” or “cleaning out a closet” when a son or daughter
leave home. Deep loneliness, isolation or despair may come in these times we
have caused, or as a result of unforeseen events in our lives.
These are nevertheless difficult times from
which perhaps we want to run as David tried.
The author Andrew Solzhenitsyn wrote that “suffering ripens our soul.”
There seem to be no cushions on the ride as
we are jolted along usually against our will.
When we come to the end of the valleys we’ll understand that every path
has been selected, out of all possible options, for our ultimate good said
author
David Roper in his book about Psalm 23.
If only we could see the path, we would select it as well, perhaps?
“Who led us through the wilderness, through the land of
deserts and pits, through the land of draught and the shadow of death." (Jeremiah 2:6). If it is God, what is he
doing or “why?” Job cried out?
Well, David came to a place where he was able to say that
even though we go through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no
evil. Why? Because God is with us, His rod and staff comforting and protecting
us. Notice in the psalm, we are walking and we are getting through with God’s
guidance, if we will accept or chose it.
What God said to Moses is also true for all time, “My presence will go
with you, and I will give you rest.” (Exodus 33:14). He told Joshua the same in
his fear.
The Prophet Isaiah 41:10,
43:2, said
, “Do not fear, for I am with
you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will uphold you with my righteous
right hand…When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you
pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through
the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.”
God is with us- The Immanuel
of Christmas. Friends and family will fail us, circumstances will be cruel, but
God is always there, even when we don’t see or experience Him. Richard Foster said, “God becomes a reality,
when God becomes a necessity.”
It seems to me, as we rise out of the valleys, we see more
clearly. We come to a place, if we look for it, that we find that God has been
working for our good in the dark places. Ask him, cry out to him. God will tell
you, not why, but what to do and how to do it in it.
Oh, and one thing more, all valleys end, no
valley or testing goes on forever. He tells us
in 1 Cor 10:13, that he will provide a way out or through if we seek him.
Psalm 30:5 tells us, “Weeping may remain for a night, but joy comes in the morning.”
