Psalms 23:4 Monte T. Brown
November 9, 2014 Sunday Night
Stapp Zoe Baptist
Introduction
Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is portrayed in the 23th Psalms as our Shepherd and are his sheep. From time to time we will go through dark valleys and how we handle that depends on how “The Shepherd” works in our lives.
This morning we covered the five facts about dark valleys.
1. Dark valleys are UNAVOIDABLE
2. Dark valleys are UNPREDICTABLE
3. Dark valleys are IMPARTIAL
4. Dark valleys are TEMPORARY
5. Dark valleys have a PURPOSE
This evening I want us to look at WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU GO THROUGH DARK VALLEYS
As we look at part 2 of “The Valley of Death” I want all of us to ponder this question.
How do you handle the dark valleys in your life?
Scripture
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Psalms 23:4 (KJV)
Prayer
Here are the three things that we need TO DO WHEN YOU GO THROUGH DARK VALLEYS
1. Refuse to be DISCOURAGED
Let’s look at Psalms 23:4 again.
“Even, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil.” Psalms 23:4 (NKJV)
I want to observe two very important things about this verse.
The first is; God doesn’t panic when you go through a problem.
But neither should His sheep.
The picture we get from this verse is that that his sheep aren’t frightened as they pass through the valley.
Look at this verse again.
Notice that it says that “I walk” through the valley.
It doesn’t say – “I run.”
It doesn’t say, “I quiver”.
It doesn’t say, “I shake in my boots”
No – it says “I walk.”
As a sheep trusting in “The Shepherd” we are sure footed.
As a sheep trusting in “The Shepherd” we take our time.
As a sheep trusting in “The Shepherd” we don’t need to panic.
The second thing is;
Notice it says in verse 4 “I will.”
You might want to underline these two words “I will” in your Bible.
“I will” is a matter of choice. "I will" fear no evil.
You see as a sheep trusting in “The Shepherd” the “I will” overcomes the problem of fear and evil.
When you go through those valleys, as a sheep trusting in “The Shepherd” the “I will” gets you out of the valley that you are in.
One of the biggest adjustments you need make when you are going through the valley is to have an attitude adjustment.
Refuse to be discouraged, remember that:
• You can’t go around the valley.
• You can’t go under the valley.
• You can’t go over the valley.
• You must go through the valley.
• But as a sheep trusting in “The Shepherd” you must remember the “I will.”
• “I will” fear no evil.”
• “I will” not be afraid.
• “I will” refuse to be shaking.
• “I will” walk through this valley.
Remember what rest of that verse says, for thou art with me.
As a sheep trusting in “The Shepherd” he is with you every step of the way.
2. Rely on “The Shepherd’s” PRESENCE
God does not leave you alone.
At verse, four in the Psalms there is a great change in the language.
Up to this point all, the pronouns are in the third person.
“He leads me.” “He guides me.” “He restores my soul.”
Now the language changes from third person to second person pronouns.
Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
“You are with me. Your rod and your staff they comfort me.”
All of a sudden, the ultimate becomes the intimate.
When you are going through dark valleys you don’t want to talk about “The Shepherd,” you want to talk to “The Shepherd.”
Religion now becomes a relationship.
“The Shepherd” says, “I am with you. I will take you by the hand. I will lead you through this.”
It’s during dark valleys that we need to know “The Shepherd” is there.
It’s during dark valleys that our faith is the most tested.
Have you ever taken a tour of one of the caves in Missouri? I have taken my family several times through those caves and almost every tour you’ll take, the guide will stop along the trail and have all the lights turned off.
Most of us who have only been above ground have never been in complete darkness.
Even when we are at home when the lights go out – there is usually some source light somewhere.
The stars or the moon give off some light or a passing car will light things up a little.
But it’s not that way in a cave.
There is no source of light what so ever.
It can be quit frightful.
One of the things you must do in that situation is remember where you are and who you are with.
You remember that you are in a cave with a tour group.
You remember that your spouse is there with you.
But most of all you remember that you have a guide who is there to lead you and he is there too.
This is like being in a dark valley.
He is right there. I may not be able to see Him because of the darkness – but the fact remains that He is right there.
Matthew 28:20 says:
“I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Matthew 28:20 (NKJV)
3. Rely on “The Shepherd’s” PROTECTION
David reminds us that “The Shepherd” has a rod and a staff to protect us.
The rod and the staff are basic tools for a shepherd.
The rod is basically a couple of feet long and has a knot at one end.
Shepherds train to use the rod like a missile at anything that would endanger the sheep.
Shepherds use the rod to protect their flock.
Sometimes the shepherds stroke the back of the sheep with the rod to comfort them.
But there are times that the shepherds correct the sheep with the rod.
The staff is a long stick with a crock at the end of it.
The staff is used to draw sheep out of a ditch or to pull them closer to the shepherd’s side.
But the truth is the shepherd is there to protect His sheep.
God has promised us His protection. John 10:29 says:
"My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand." John 10:29 (NKJV)
Conclusion/Invitation
I want to close with three thoughts about shadows.
A. Shadows are always BIGGER THAN REALITY.
Fear is always greater than the problems you face.
B. Shadows cannot HURT YOU.
• Have you ever been run over by a shadow?
• There is a big difference between a truck and a shadow.
• Shadows cannot hurt you – they can only scare you.
C. Shadows only appear when there is a LIGHT SOURCE.
• You may be in a dark valley right now – but there is light
at the end of the tunnel.
• The Bible says that God is light – and in Him, there is no
darkness.
• Trust Him.
• Believe in Him because:
"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. 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." Psalms 23:1-4 (NKJV)
