The Land of The Shadow of Death

Psalm 23:4

While you walk through the darkness, there is hope, and that hope is Jesus.

Regardless of how bad it all seems, no matter how dark it might be, there is a light.

Even though I walk
through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.

Psalm 23:4

Firstly, understand that you walk through the valley of the shadow of death. You are not called to stay there. Verses prior we see that it is the Lord who makes us lie down in green pastures. It is God who makes us rest, but rest is not to turn to encampment. We are not called to make the valley of the shadow of death our home. Our home, is in the presence of our savior.

Secondly, why should you fear no evil? It is because God is with you! It is not your strength that carries you nor wisdom that sustains you. It is fully and wholly God. In the Gospels, Jesus gives a parable about building a house and the foundation that is used. You are free to build your life on your accolades and merits and efforts but in the end, it is those same accolades and merits and efforts that will have to uphold it. The one who builds their life on the rock of Christ will find that it is Jesus who upholds them. That when the storms come, and they will come, our faith is in the one who built our lives to begin with.

Finally, while this might seem to just be figurative or something specific to certain people. While it might feel well and good symbolically. How can it be real to you? Consider the words in Matthew 4, referencing a prophecy from Isaiah

¹³ And leaving Nazareth, He came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is by the sea, in the regions of Zebulun and Naphtali, ¹⁴ that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying:

¹⁵ “The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali,
By the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan,
Galilee of the Gentiles:
¹⁶ The people living in darkness have seen a great light,
on those living in the land of shadow of death a
Light has dawned.”

The people who had been living in darkness, who had spent so much time there it had become their home. A light had dawned. Remember, we are not called to live in the valley of the shadow of death, but it is Jesus who is the light to lead us out of it. Jesus came to Earth for you! He seeks out the lost, and lonely. Psalm 68:6 God places the lonely in families. Psalm 34:18 The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. I could list countless verses to try and emphasize God’s love for you, but words only go so far. Actions speak, and if you want God to actively demonstrate his love for you, there is no greater example than the cross. In turn, I ask you, is Jesus going to the cross for you enough to convince you just how much He cares for you?

I pray we will all walk boldly through the valley, focused on the joy set before us.

Your friend,

Aodhan