THE VALLEY OF THE SHADOW

PSALMS 1:4

A. "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"
  1. The Psalmist left us these words of reassurance and comfort:
    1. He took care of sheep in his early youth
    2. He knew the territory where he cared for the sheep of his father
  2. It was during this period in his youth:
    1. When he encountered the lion and the bear
    2. Also, when God gave him the strength to save his sheep out of the mouth of the bear - I Sam. 17:34-35 B. THE VALLEY OF SHADOW
  3. Was a deep ravene or gorge:
    1. Where many dangers lurked to harm the sheep
    2. Such places were called "the wilderness of Judea
    3. Such places were known as "deep gloom" because robbers were hiding in such places, waiting to slay shepherds and take the sheep
  4. An allegory:
    1. Of the inevitable and dark experience of sickness and death which comes to all born into this world
    2. A period in human life when one feels insecure and lonely; a state of deep gloom that envelopes us; Examples: Hezikiah passed through that valley, as recorded in Isaiah 38:1-22; even the Lord of glory, His humanity went through that deep, dark valley - "But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straightened till it be accomplished" - Luke 12:50
  5. Courage - "I will fear no evil"
    1. True courage has three special elements on which it rests
  6. it realizes that there is no other way open for man, but to make the best of a given situation
  7. it realizes further, that others have to go through the same dark valley
  8. and believes that the good shepherd who knows the experience real well will see us through without being harmed
    1. Note these reassuring words of comfort from the Good Shepherd, "Fear not; for I am with thee, I will be with thee; and through the rivers they shall overflow thee" - Is. 43:2-5 C. NOTE THE BACKGROUND TO THE ENCOURAGEMENT OF THE PSALMIST WHEN WALKING THROUGH THE VALLEY OF THE SHADOW OF DEATH
  9. "For thou art with me":
    1. Most men will agree that it is the loneliness in death that constitutes the chief dread
    2. We normally have some loved one with us in life - even in sickness and sorrow, but in death, we are alone; Examples: Moses was always surrounded by people until he walked the last mile to his death; he had to go it alone - Deut. 34:1-5; Simeon, after beholding the promised Saviour said, "Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word" - Luke 2:29
  10. "Thy rod and Thy staff, they comfort me"
    1. The rod - was a heavy club which was used by the shepherd to ward off wild beasts - a means of defense
    2. The staff was a rod upon which the shepherd leaned and also which he used to kill serpents with which were hiding in the grass
    3. We see in the rod and in the staff -
  11. God's word as helping us to face the inevitable - His many precious promises that light up the path of life even when we pass through the valley of the shadow of death
  12. Also, the trials and experiences of sickness, pain and sorrow, are helpful to us to lean on the Lord and to trust his mercy
  13. Job was never closer to the Lord:
    1. Than when he was left alone in his agony and pain, "Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him" - Job 13:15
    2. "I know that my redeemer liveth" - Job 19:25
  14. "Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies"
    1. Death is no friend - "The last enemy that will be destroyed is death" - I Cor. 15:26
    2. "I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death; O death, I will be thy plague; O grave, I will be thy destruction; repentance shall be hid from me" - Hosea 13:14


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