The Shadow of Death
“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death…” Psalm 23:4
There is physical death, yet there are also other kinds of death… death to who I was, to life as I knew it, to the way it used to be, to the things I loved on this earth, the people, places, attitudes, habits and thoughts that were familiar and comforting…. I will still hope in the Lord, that He will make all things new and beautiful again, in His time.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death… death to life as I hoped and dreamed it would be, to faithful friendships and relationships, to the little country cottage with a white picket fence, to birthing children who would care for me, and then happy grandchildren around my feet… I will trust the Lord’s perfect will to be worked out in and through me, through any means He has chosen for me.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death… death to my plans, to the things I worked so hard for that shriveled before my very eyes, to the perfect job, even to a particular ministry and calling… I will bow in submission to my heavenly Father who loves me. I will surrender to His will and His ways, and to what He is doing in me, for He is good.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for HE is with me; His rod and staff comfort me—console me, extend compassion to me, show and prove deep empathy toward me. He weeps with me when I weep, and sighs with me when I sigh—this is deep empathy. What affects me, affects Him.
There are joyful days ahead of me, but today I feel a sting of the death of things that really must die within me. I gladly suffer the loss of all things “for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ” (Philippians 3:8).
“For I will turn their mourning to joy, will comfort them, and make them rejoice rather than sorrow… And My people shall be satisfied with My goodness, says the Lord” (Jeremiah 31:13-14).
Dear Lord, help me to see my losses in this life as gains in Your kingdom, for there is nothing better than gaining You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Thank you for these precious words that ministered to me today!
I have never really looked at this scripture in this way. Open my eyes in a different way to pray and give the things of my past and the things I have no control of to our Lord. Thank you
What a beautiful way with words the Lord has gifted you with. Yes, I know well the pain of dreams and relationships that shriveled and died. How I cling to Him for new dreams and rebirth of relationships. If He is for us, who could possibly be against us? I’m so thankful that regardless of the fleeting nature of earthly things, HIS love will NEVER fail, regardless of circumstances and feelings.
Amen
I have often thought that the valley of death is here—we were born into it when we entered this fallen world. But God has been here too, making a way for us, a rest for us, and blessings for us. He has always been our good Shepard and will continue to be until he takes us to our true home with him. Thank you for this beautiful reminder of his faithfulness.
The “shadow is always behind us, as we walk towards His light.