“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil…” Psalm 23:4 NIV
In David’s day there existed a narrow mountain pass that led from the young shepherd’s home to the green pastures where his flocks could feed. That pass is still used today by shepherd’s seeking good foraging grounds for hungry sheep. The name of this mountain pass is…you guessed it “the Valley of the Shadow of Death”. Within the confines of its dark sheer walls are many shallow caves perfect for predators: lions, and tigers, and bears oh my! The all-consuming dark produces a Nightmare on Elm Street for poor sheep just trying to get a good breakfast; But the truth is that the breakfast buffet is on the other side of the Valley.
We’ve already discussed that God’s job is to make us lie down in green pastures. To do His job He has to take us through the Valley of the Shadow of Death. An alternate road doesn’t present itself. Everyone of us needs to go through our own valley. It’s called life. The shadows and predators are many. Some hoping to circumnavigate the valley have gone well off the path only to find that all roads lead straight into the heart of darkness. Our options are limited. We can’t go back to yesterday and we can’t stand still. We all are faced with the truth that the Valley of Shadow while not our destination is smack dab in the middle of the way to our destination. As one who is well into the Valley now…as one who is well acquainted with the evil inside I have to concur with David, as long as the Lord is with me I won’t fear any of it.
My eyes aren’t on the darkness. My gaze is fixed on the green pastures that lie straight ahead!
Reinventing the We'll 