Coria Brock
January 20, 2024
Psalm 23:4, English Standard Version
“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil…”
There may be a lot of situations or personal events that we could call “the valley of the shadow of death”. However, the most accurate way to interpret this is that it is the world itself. We are in it, and no one is an exception! No one! It began the day mankind fell and the decision they (Adam and Eve) made to disobey. Their inheritance carried in the seed of sin, our DNA.
The earth itself was without sin, God created it beautifully and He looked at those things He created and said, “It’s good!” (Genesis 1-2) But the world, the system and the values developed by mankind, that are built upon the earth, are corrupted. It has become the valley of the shadow of death, and we are walking and moving and living through it. What does this cause in our lives and where does it lead us? The answer is written throughout the Bible - destruction and forever darkness! I don’t think anyone needs to elaborate what that looks like, we all see it, we are suffering in it, and most are still lost in it. So, the following question to us is this: “Can anyone be rescued from it?” You may already know the answer to this! Thank you, Jesus, if you know Him and you know He is the Rescuer! Yet, I want you to dig deep into the Word He has given us so that His promises can be planted deep in your heart!
“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death …” (Psalm 23:4, ESV)
Let’s look at the word “shadow “. It means that it is not completely dark, yet also not very bright. Whoever walks through it may not be able to see the whole path in front of them, but they may be able to see each step one at a time. Along the path they may encounter mud, rocks, sinking sand, holes… all of which can be dangerous. Praise the Lord that He has given us help: “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” (Psalm 119:105, NIV) The Word, Jesus Himself, who is the Light, is leading us through the valley of the shadow of death! He is not just the Light, He is also the Life. Wherever a place blossoms, there is life! It is in the valley where the super bloom occurs, and that means that Jesus is there. Because of that, we need not fear evil! Darkness can never extinguish light, just as death could not keep Jesus (the Life) in its grip. (John 1:5, Acts 2:24)
My dear friend, keep moving forward, and do not be afraid or discouraged. There is hope for us to be rescued by the Rescuer. Listen and pay attention and fix your eyes on the Light and follow Him. He can show you step by step along the safe path - the one Way which leads toward eternity, to our Lord Jesus, the everlasting life!
This is the time for you to make the same statement as Peter, “…Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life.” (John 6:68, NLT)