We are continuing through Psalm 23 and having looked at the first 3 verses we now come to verse 4. We have seen how the Lord has had His hand on us to prepare us for life and fellowship. Knowing that all things work together because He is the Master planner we note that there is a slight turn in the flow of this passage. Now we begin our path through reality of life, we begin to see the application of His promise’s mixed with the obedient life of a believer. Here is a beautiful word picture passage for us to ponder. Here in this passage we find the closeness of the Lord and our availability to get close to Him. We can glean a lot from this verse as we continue to ponder the 23 psalm.Verse 4
Psalm 23:4, “Yea, 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.”
“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,” - Here we find that even in the darkest and most trying hours of our life God is near. The valley of the shadow of death that the psalmist references here is a ravine overhung by high steep cliffs, filled with dense forests. It appeared to be purposely designed to arouse dread and fear to all that would enter to. Though this valley was one of great danger and often caused a spirit of fear to those who trespassed there it would dim in the presence of the greatest fear of all, which was death. Death was one journey that we all face alone except for the believer. Here in this passage suggests to us that even in the passage of Death our Shepherd will still be with us. Every word in this passage has great depth in its meaning.
“Yea, though I walk,” here as we begin our ponderings of this passage, we are the ones who have to do the walking. He has prepared the path but we must walk down it. He does not call us to step up the pace, nor does he call out a cadence He just calls out to us to walk. We are not to hurry especially since this path leads to death. We can calmly walk down this path with Jesus. To walk here is actually in reference to a steady advance (if you will) of a soul. We walk here almost as if we have advance knowledge of the road, and we do in a sense know its end. It is our purpose, our bent as believers, to follow the path. While we do so, we can feel safe and content because He is there. The believer who is close to the end of his path does not hurry nor does he panic and fret he simply walks. Once we are near the end we know that we cannot stand still though we may desire to go no farther, instead we simply keep up the same pace as before.
“Yea, though I walk through…,” – one thing to point out here is that it is not so much that we walk in the valley, but we are to walk through the valley. Our goal, our objective is that we must go through the dark valley of death; no man can pass on this. We know that there is fear in this valley because of its existence, but the believer also has the assurance that Christ walks the path with us. We walk with this understanding that He is with us. We can confidently step out into the light of eternity because He is there with us and will welcome us home. As believers in Christ we must realize that we do not die, but we do but do sleep to wake up in glory. In his book “The Treasury of David” Charles Spurgeon says, “Death is not the house but the porch, not the goal but the passage to it.” We must realize and understand here that this walk through the valley is in a sense, our walk home.
“Yea, though I walk through the valley” – The psalmist is referring to a valley here to give us word picture and reference point in our own lives. We know that in life storms will come and go, some we can easily endure but there are those that take us off the mountain placing us in the valley. It is in the valley where we find peace that is so desperately need to calm the troubled soul. Many of us can testify of spending time with an aging saint who is facing their last days and find them more peaceful then those who surround them. They are at peace in their walk with Christ and have the peace that He offers and they are ready to meet Him. Their peace grows with each passing moment knowing that they are closer to the time that they will meet Him. While we are young life can be rough as we struggle on our way but it is often in the valley where we make the most progress. It is here in this psalm that we are confronted with a different view of the valley; it is here where we find shade, rest and refreshment. More believers have felt more alive here on their final passing through than they ever did when they were alive and well.
“… the valley of the shadow of death,” an interesting observation here is that this it is not “the valley of death,” but “the valley of the shadow of death.” This is important because death is not a threat to us, that has been removed, “So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. (55) O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? (56) The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. (57) But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 15:54-57). With the power of death removed all that remains is its shadow. We must also note that if there is a shadow to be seen then there has to be light somewhere. With this in mind we know that Christ is the light and death can only cast a shadow in His presence. All it can do is stand idly by as we pass through this valley. Life can be a fearful place but all of it dims in the presence of His Glory. There is nothing to fear in a shadow for it cannot harm us. It may startle us from time to time but there is nothing to fear from it. The light that shines around it is that which comes from heaven, coming from the reigning Son of God, the eternal light is there. It is no wonder that the words “I will fear no evil” follows the mention of the path.
I will fear no evil; - Why should we fear? The psalmist says this with strong confidence. He did not say that there would not be evil because he knows that there will be. He goes beyond that thought and assures us that we do not have to fear it. We who know Jesus know that as our Shepherd will carry us through the times of evil, I do not need to fear them. He said “I will fear no evil,” letting us know that even his every fear, including those hiding out in the shadows and those in the light were forever gone. Sadly, the worst evils many of us face in life are those which do not exist except in our imagination. Here in this thought we find that the psalmist offers us the cure for the disease of fear, he said “I will fear no evil,” that would include the Evil One himself. This thought would even include the fear of dying. Death may be the last enemy that we face but, we can look upon its face as a conquered foe, an enemy that has already been defeated in Christ.
“…for You are with me;” – what a comforting thought to know that He is with you. How often we fail to recognize the closeness of the Lord in our lives. “…be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5) One of the great joys of being a believer is knowing that the Lord is there with you. We are safe in the shelter of His arms which is something few believers ever get a handle on. We can experience the Peace that only the Lord gives once we realize that He is there and that He is there for you. We can say with the psalmist in complete comfort and security “…for You are with me.”
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.” – The rod and staff are the tools by which the shepherd protects his flock. They are a sign of his protection and care. In the light of the Lord they represent His sovereignty, His mercy and His grace. They are there not just to protect me but to comfort me as well. They comfort because He is the gate to the sheep fold and there is nothing that can or will get by Him that He does not allow. And that which He does allow He is in complete control of. This can be our standard in all things that we fear, even death. Paul said in Philippians 1:21, “For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” This is a thought that many have claimed over the years until they begin to get close to death. Paul went on to say in verse 23 of this same passage in Philippians, “For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better.” Our desire to be with Christ is better, but letting go is the real issue we face. Letting go is what we fear most, yet one day, we will be united with Christ in presence. This hope is strengthened in us through this passage knowing that His Rod and Staff are there to comfort you even in the times of great pain and sorrow.
To be continued.
========================================
No comments:
Post a Comment