Morning Good People God. 7. Friends Follow The Lessons God Touch Of Love For The Sinner The Shepherds Psalms The Valley of the Shadow No Fear of Death 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. “Though I may walk through death’s dark vale, I fear no hurt, for You are with me.” Fenton. “Myroad may run through a glen of gloom, but I fear no harm, for Thou art beside me.” Moffatt. This psalm, like all the Scriptures, shows evidence of a divine arrangement. The dreadful experience represented by “the valley of the shadow of death” is not placed at the beginning, but in the middle of the psalm, after the sheep have been strengthened with food, water, and rest, and have gained confidence in the leadership of the shepherd by being led in right paths. It would be discouraging to a Christian to begin his spiritual life with such dark shadows. Having experienced the four “R’s” of Refreshment, Rest, Restoration, and Righteousness, the Christian is prepared to go courageously forward, regardless of the pathway. His confidence in divine leadership never fails in the shadow because h e had followed so faithfully in the sunshine. Those who keep company with Christ in days of peace and prosperity have no reason to fear in days of adversity. They find the Great Shepherd, a very present help in- trouble.” Familiar Imagery The naming of valleys according to their danger to the sheep is familiar among Oriental shepherds. A Syrian shepherd speaks of “the valley of robbers,” and “the valley of the raven.” In our own country we have our “Death Valley,” so named because of past experiences there. The Bible speaks of “the valley of decision,” “the valley of vision,” “the valley of Jezreel” “the valley of Achor,” “the valley of Jehoshaphat”, the valley of Hinnom,” etc. It is not at all strange that the psalmist should speak of the deepest and darkest of all valleys as “the valley of the shadow of death.” Palestine had just such a valley, and it was known to and dreaded by the shepherds. David was especially well acquainted with it, and had led his flock through it more than once. It is south of the Jericho road between Jerusalem and the Dead Sea. It is a deep gorge through a mountain range the precipitous walls of which are honeycombed with caves occupied by wild beasts and poisonous insects and serpents. One writer declared that “the heat broods over it like a disease and settles down like a curse.” Yet it was necessary for the sheep to be led through it in order to reach the -green pastures” beyond. The path through this dark and dangerous valley plunges from 2,700 feet above sea level to 400 feet below. The valley itself is about five miles long and not more than twelve feet wide at the widest section at the base of the valley, and the cliffs tower up to 1,500 feet. To the shepherd it is the most dangerous valley in Western Asia, and it is doubtless the one David had in mind when he wrote this beautiful psalm. Many sheep had been killed in this dark gorge, and it was indeed “the valley of the shadow of death.” The Enemy’s Land The trails through these dark canyons of gloomy shadows and haunting fears from one tableland or pasture to another were dreaded by both the shepherd and his sheep. It was a journey through the land of the enemy, as it was the favorite haunt of wild beasts of prey and the place of lurking thieves. As the sheep passed silently along the sides of the deep gorges, where the shadows were dark because of the protruding rocks, they were in constant danger of being attacked by animals or seized by robbers. The bottom of these canyons is often filled with thick brush or dense forest, which is a covert for unseen and unsuspected enemies. Here the fear of death haunts the shepherd and his sheep. When a man’s life is in danger in the East, it is often said, “He is under the shadow of death,” a saying that indicates that he is in imminent danger, and may be killed at any time. It is sometimes said of one in danger, “Death is hanging over him.” Spiritual Application Doubtless drawing fro m the language of this psalm, other sacred writers have used the expression “the shadow of death” in a symbolic sense in connection with divine leadership. “Seek Him that makes the seven stars and Orion, and turns the shadow of death into the morning.” Amos 5:8. “The morning is to them even as the shadow of death: if one know them, they are in the terrors of the shadow of death.” Job 24:17. Jesus said of His mission to earth, “The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up.” Matthew 4:16. Christ here indicates that all sinners are sitting in darkness and are in “the region” or “valley” of the “shadow of death.” The statement of Jesus is doubtless drawn from Isaiah 60:2, 3: “Behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the Lord shall arise upon thee, and His glory shall be seen upon thee. And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising.” In one sense this world of sin and the land of the enemy is “the valley of the shadow of death” through which we need divine guidance as we travel as pilgrims and strangers- toward the green pastures of the heavenly Canaan. While passing through this “vale of tears” and haunting shadows we are in constant danger of attacks by enemies, seen and unseen, known and unknown. Dark Experiences In another sense the language of our text doubtless applies to the dark and fearful experiences through which all Christians must pass from time to time in the journey of life. The Christian pathway is not always through green pastures and beside still waters. “In pastures green? Not always; sometimes He Who knows best in kindness leads me In weary ways, where heavy shadows be. “And by still waters? No, not always so; Often times the heavy tempests round me blow, .And over my soul the waves and billows go. “But when the storm beats loudest, and I cry Aloud for help, the Master stands by, And whispers to my soul, ‘Lo, it is I!” “Above the tempest wild I hear Him say, ‘Beyond the darkness lies the perfect day. In every path of Mine I lead the way.” Henry H. Barry. The presence of the “Light of the world” lights up the dark paths of life, so that the dark shadows are dispelled and the fears are quelled. The path “of righteousness” is a lighted pathway, for “the path of the just is as the shining light, that shines more and more unto the perfect day.” Proverbs 4:18. Shadow of Death Perhaps the chief application of our text is to death itself. This is a valley through which all must pass, for “it is appointed unto men once to die,” and all must meet the appointment. “Death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.--The road to the rich pasture lands of the heavenly Canaan leads through this dark valley. Death is the darkest of all dark valleys. (See job 10:21, 22.) Death is divinely declared to be an enemy. “The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.” 1 Corinthians 15:26. Men in the strength of youth and manhood may laugh at death, but when they come face to face with this great monster, they find it a solemn event. “It is a solemn thing to die.” “The fear of death” has haunted all mankind since the death of Abel. Christ came into the dark shadow in order to destroy this fear and deliver death’s victims. “Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, He also Himself likewise took part of the same; that through death He might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; and deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.” Hebrews 2:14,15. (See also Revelation 1:17,18.) A Shadow While none c an escape the journey through the valley of death, the coming of the Great Shepherd and His sacrifice on the cross have turned this fearful enemy, death, into a mere shadow to those who accept the gospel and divine leadership. To the child of God the grave is not the end of life, but only a resting place between this life and the next. The Great Shepherd took away the awful substance and reality of death, and left in its place a mere shadow with which Christians must reckon. It is true that we are sometimes frightened by shadows; but we need not be, for no shadow can harm anyone. The shadow of a lion is not dangerous except as it indicates the presence of the substance. Neither can the shadow of death harm the true sheep of Christ, because through His death He “turns the shadow of death into the morning,” or the resurrection. The psalmist said: “He that dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.” Psalm 91:1. Christ deprived death, of its poisonous fangs, so that on the resurrection morning the Christian victors can cry out in triumph: “O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?” Contemplating this glorious fact, the apostle exclaimed, “Thanks be to God, which gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians 15:55, 57. Death is a terrible reality to the wicked, but only a shadow to the righteous. There are shadows in the valleys, but there is sunshine on the hilltops beyond. The Source of Courage “I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me,” is the source of courage and the enemy of fear. There can be no haunting fear in the presence and fellowship of the Great Shepherd. “There is no fear in love; but perfect love castes out fear: because fear hath torment. He that fears is not made perfect in love.” 1 John 4:18. With the statement under consideration, the personal pronouns of our psalm change to indicate a closer fellowship. It is no longer “He,” but “Thou.” The psalmist, as the danger becomes greater, ceases to talk about the Great Shepherd, and begins to speak to Him. He seems to be at his very elbow. They seem to be walking arm in arm. In time of dire need the Lord is indeed: “a very present help.” The way is dark and dangerous, but the Christian is not alone. He can truthfully say, “If God be with us, who can be against us?” We can then say with Paul: “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall, tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? . Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us.” Romans 8:31,35-37. The psalmist said, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea.” Psalm 46:1, 2. (See also Isaiah 33:14-17; Psalms 15) “What time 1 am afraid, I will trust in Thee.” Psalm 56:3. “I will trust, and not be afraid: for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song; He also is become my salvation.” Isaiah 12:2. God’s Presence “I am with thee” is the promise of the presence of the Divine Shepherd as we pass through the valley. To Moses, while he was leading Israel like a flock through the wilderness to the green pastures of Canaan, the Lord said, “My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest.” Moses answered, “If Thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence.” (See Exodus 33:14, 15) To all Christians comes the assuring promise: “Now thus said the Lord that created thee, O Jacob, and He that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art Mine. When thou passes through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walks through the fire, thou shall not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.” Isaiah 43:1, 2. The waters and rivers here doubtless have special reference to the final time of trouble, and the fire to the lake of fire. Sheep are especially afraid of streams of water, and these are often found at the bottom of the dark valleys or gorges which they must cross. It is often necessary to carry or drag one of the leading sheep across the stream, and then the others will follow. They are not afraid when the shepherd wades the stream with them. David said, “Thou wilt show me the path of life: in Thy presence is fullness of joy; at Thy right hand there are pleasures forevermore.” Psalm 16: 11. “I shall yet give thanks, for His presence is salvation,” is one translation of Psalms 43:5. Wonderful Promise “Thou art with me! Oh, the wonders and deep mystery of it all! The All Mighty with the weak, the Creator with the creature, the Infinite with the finite, the Eternal with the temporal, the Unchangeable with the changing, the Divine with the human, the Holy with the sinful. He is deeply conscious of God’s sovereign presence.”-” The Spirit of the Shepherd,” M. P. Krikorian, pp. 70, 71. Christ, the Great Shepherd, reiterated this wonderful promise to His followers in connection with the great commission just before His departure: “Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.” “Hold Thou Thy cross before my closing eyes; Shine through the gloom, and point me to the skies; Heaven’s morning breaks, and earth’s vain shadows flee; In life and death, O Lord, abide with me!”
Posted on: Thu, 28 Aug 2014 06:27:33 +0000
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