The Valley Of The Shadow Of Death
8th March 2009
Psalm 23:4
Whenever we have a shadow we have two other things, a substance and a light. David has already talked about the valley of the substance of death in Psalm 22 My God, my God, why hast Thou forsaken me? This is what Christ cried at Calvary.
The very substance of death is to be forsaken by God. That is the essence of a lost eternity that is the reality of Hell, to die God-abandoned. That is what awaits all those who die without the Shepherd.
Not only does a shadow need a substance it also needs alight. The Word of God is the Light of the Shadow of Death. - Psalms 119:130 The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.
It is the light shining on the substance that causes the shadow. That is what makes the difference between the death of a believer and the death of an unbeliever. The unbeliever goes out into the dark, there is reserved for him a blackness and darkness for ever (Jude 1:13)
In contrast to this the believer goes out into the light. It is great to be saved this morning! God saves us, keeps us, will come for us and will reward us.
How wonderful it is to feel His divine presence! We feel His presence in the good times but we need to trust His presence in the bad times.
I. What Is The Valley of the Shadow of Death?
1. It Is A Valley Of Guarantee – Hebrews 9:27
Every single person has an appointment with death – we cannot escape it, we cannot bypass it, we cannot outrun it – According to a middle-eastern fable, a merchant from Baghdad once asked his servant to run an errand. While at the markets, the servant went around a corner and saw ‘Lady Death’. She terrified him so much that he returned to his master in a great rush. “I am terrified,” said the servant. “I want to take the fastest horse and ride towards Samarra.” Seeing how absolutely terrified his servant was, the master granted the request. Later that afternoon, the merchant visited the markets himself and he too met Lady Death. He asked, “Why do you startle my servant?” Lady Death answered, Frankly, it was I who was startled. I couldn’t understand why your servant was in Baghdad, because I have an appointment with him tonight in Samarra.
The Valley of the Shadow of Death is a valley of guarantee….
a) For The Saint – The Shadow of Death - 2 Corinthians 5:8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.
We are told that when we leave these bodies, we go immediately into the presence of the Lord. As soon as death causes this clay tabernacle to fold up and fall away, the redeemed soul finds itself in the presence of the One Who died to save that soul. That truth alone makes Heaven worth everything.
We can speak of golden streets, jasper walls, angelic hosts, pearl gates and foundations of precious stones; but the presence of Jesus Christ is what will make Heaven Heavenly! It will be Him and His glory that will light that city, (Rev. 21:23). It was He that died on the cross to make it possible and when we pass through that last valley we will see Him in that city on high. We will forever dwell in His presence.
Philippians 1:21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
b) For The Sinner – The Substance of Death - Revelation 14:10-11 The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.
2. It Is A Valley Of Shadows –
Death is mentioned 878 times in the Bible which points out the reality of man’s appointment. Jesus met the substance of death and we meet only the shadow! As the shadow of a dog cannot bite, the shadow of a sword cannot cut and the shadow of death cannot harm the soul.
For the sheep, the day of grazing was over and the evening sun was beginning to sink, leaving its shadows to loom upon the land. Often the shepherd had to lead his sheep through the narrow valleys to make it home.
Hebrews 2:15 And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. The world fears and, therefore, chooses not to think of death.
3. It Is A Valley Of Purpose
Every valley has a purpose, this one is no exception it is a valley that everyone will pass through. It is an inevitable appointment. It is a rendezvous with destiny. It is a test of courage. It is a trial of faith. It is an exodus from this world of sorrow. It is a passageway from mortality to immortality. It is a transition from the terrestrial (Earth) to the celestial (Heaven) It is the gateway to eternal life.
The famed evangelist, Dwight L. Moody, once remarked in a sermon: “Some day you will read in the papers that D. L. Moody of East Northfield is dead. Don’t you believe a word of it. At that moment I shall be more alive than now. I shall have gone up higher, that is all-out of this old clay tenement into a house that is immortal; a body that death cannot touch, that sin cannot taint, a body fashioned like unto His glorious body. That which is born of the flesh may die. That which is born of the spirit will live forever.”
II. What is in this Valley?
1. God’s Presence– “thou are with me”
The Shepherd’s Companionship – “thou are with me”
So far, David has been using the third person singular to describe the journey. “He leadeth… He makes me lie down… He restoreth my soul… He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.”
Suddenly, death looms on the horizon and David no longer talks about the Shepherd, he talks to the Shepherd, Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death , I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me.
The valley deepens the presence of the Lord. Romans 8:35-39
When we seem to be at the point of defeat that is the very time that we can find victory! There is victory in the Word of God. We know our final destiny! We know what the outcome is. We know what He has promised us
There is victory in God’s Presence. We know the sweetness of His presence. We are comforted by His presence – When I was little I always felt braver when my big brother was around –
There is victory in the Power of God. We know the Omnipotent God! He knows us by name, He knows everything about us – the One who holds the entire universe in His hand has such amazing power – that is where our victory comes from. He has the power over death, sin, hell, the grave, the valleys etc…
He is God in the good times and He is still God in the bad times – David, of all people, learned that there is victory in the Valley of Shadows in the Lord! When you study David’s life and see what he went through, then read his Psalms and see whom he trusted, he knew where the victory would come from.
Isaiah 43:2 When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.
2) The Shepherd’s Confidence – “thy rod”
Sheep do not have very good vision and they are easily frightened in new circumstances, especially when it’s dark. The presence of the shepherd calms and comforts them.
The rod was used against the sheep’s enemies – the shepherd would use it to stun or even kill an attacking beast.
3) The Shepherd’s Comfort – “thy staff”
The staff was the shepherds crook, he would use this to assist the individual sheep. At evening he would have the sheep pass under the crook one by one so he could count them and examine them. It gave the flock peace knowing that the shepherd was there and was equipped for any emergency.
The Lord Jesus Christ is the true Shepherd, He does not run away at the sight of danger, He laid down His life for the sheep. As we follow the Shepherd through life we will have many and varied experiences, some of which will be very trying, but none of them can take the Lord by surprise.
2. God’s Peace – “I will fear no evil”
What does true peace mean? Two painters were asked to paint a picture illustrating peace. The first painted a beautiful evening scene in the foreground of which was a lake, its surface absolutely calm and unruffled. Trees surrounded it, meadows stretched away to the distant cattle gently browsing; a little cottage, the setting sun-all spoke of perfect rest.
The second painter drew a wild, stormy scene. Heavy black clouds hung overhead; in the centre of the picture an immense waterfall poured forth huge volumes of water covered with foam. One could almost hear its unceasing roar, yet perhaps the first thing to strike the eye was a small bird, perched in a cleft of a huge rock, absolutely sheltered from all danger, pouring forth its sweet notes of joy.
It is the second painter who could describe the peace that passeth all understanding which is the Lord Jesus Christ, the wisdom of God in the heart of the redeemed. One can only have peace with himself if he has peace with God.
David had peace because of his submission – “Yea” – He was submitted to God’s will for his life, he knew that this valley had to be travelled.
David had peace because of his faith– “though” – David had faith that even “though” he had top go through this valley, God was with him. - Hebrews 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
David had peace because of his commitment – “walk”- Philippians 4:11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.
Part of our problem today is that we do not understand what contentment is nor where it is found. We have been taught to understand that contentment comes from People we know. “If I could Just hang out with the Right People?” But people never live up to our expectations.
We have been taught to understand that contentment comes from Positions we hold. “If I could just get the right job, that allows me to make the a good income, drive a nice car, live in a nice house, I would be content.” But what happens if we don’t get that job or we get it and lose it?
Contentment is reaching the state of mind that we are at peace with Christ.
Look how David goes through this valley – WALK. That speaks of his commitment and his contentment. Here is a calm deliberate step, a walk, such as would not suggest fear. He is not going to run through, neither is he going to stand still hesitantly to ponder the path.
3. God’s Promise – “through the valley”
Again I am amazed by that word “Through” Praise God that He does not keep us in those valleys for ever – thankfully we are just passing through. Whenever we pass through something we are always headed for a goal, we are aiming toward something
1 John 3:2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
When we get through that valley we will see Him and we will be like Him. Our new bodies will be incorruptible, immortal, invincible. Our new bodies will never grow old, never get sick, never know the touch and taint of temptation and sin.
We will dwell where He dwells. When we go in through the pearly gates of that Celestial City and make our way down the streets of gold, we’ll see the crystal stream, the tree of life, we’ll see the cherubim and seraphim, but above all that, the best thing about heaven – we’ll see Him, our God, our Lord, our Saviour, our King, our Shepherd.
