TEXT:Psalm 23:4.
"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."
SHADOWS
Shadows are the dark shapes formed on surfaces by objects when they are between light and the surface. Shadows are dark. They are not real. They need light to emerge. They sometimes loom large and overshadow the real object. The shadow of death is looming large over the earth today in the form of the global COVID -19 pandemic.
THE SHADOW OF DEATH
There is a shadow of death that man must walk through. To walk through this shadow of death requires bravery. A lot of people die in the valley of the shadow of death because of fear. Fear is a killer in the valley of the shadow of death. A renowned poet once wrote: "cowards die many times before their death..."
The shadow of death is described in scriptures as:
"A land of darkness, as darkness itself; and the shadow of death, without any order, where the light is as darkness (Job 10:22).
"...hast thou seen the doors of the shadow of death? (Job 38:17b).
Job passed through the valley of the shadow of death and describes it from his own personal experience. He actually passed through the door of the shadow of death.
"Such as sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, being bound in affliction and iron" (Psalm 107:10).
It is like sitting in darkness, bound in affliction and iron, a dire situation that mimics death itself.
A MESSAGE TO THE WORLD
God led the children of Israel through the wilderness to the promised land, but they turned their backs on God and walked after vanity and became vain. They forgot the God that led them through the valley of the shadow of death and started worshipping idols (Jeremiah 2:5-6).
God then sent a message to them through Jeremiah warning them: "Give glory to the Lord your God, before he cause darkness, and before your feet stumble upon the dark mountains, and while you look for light, he turn it into the shadow of death, and make it gross darkness" (Jeremiah 13:16).
The world today have forsaken God. Many people have put science in place of God and vanity rules the world. God has allowed this plague to befall the world in order for man to realise that He is still the one that created the heavens and the earth. He wants man to come to the understanding that all powers in heaven, on earth and under the earth are in his hands. Power belongs to God. The Lord is using the COVID -19 pandemic to send a message to the world.
(2 Chronicles 20:6, Matthew 28:18, Psalm 62:11).
"Though thou hast sore broken us in the place of dragons, and covered us with the shadow of death (Psalm 44:19).
The world is indeed over shadowed by the shadow of death. Legends will be made of this period in the history of humanity. Tales will be told to ages unborn of the time God covered the earth in the shadow of death. We are witnessing today a plague in the proportions of the likes that happened in Biblical times.
WALKING THROUGH THE VALLEY OF THE SHADOW OF DEATH
Walking through the valley of the shadow of death requires courage and the guidance of God. It requires faith. Faith is the opposite of fear. David said he will fear no evil because God was with him, that he will be comforted by the rod and staff of the good shepherd. If God allowed this plague to occur that means he can safely help us walk through it without any scar.
The rod and staff represents the Holy Spirit whom God has given to comfort his children. In times like this, the Holy Spirit is our comforter and guide (John 14:16, 26).
If God is with us then there is no reason to fear. He says in Hebrews 13:5, "....I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee."
He promises to be with us when we pass through the waters, rivers and fire (Isaiah 43:2). His promises are yea and amen. The valley of the shadow of death is no match for the shadow of the Almighty God.
God says: "Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? Do not I fill heaven and earth?" (Jeremiah 23:24).
If God fills the heaven and the earth, what an awesome shadow his will be. It is in that shadow that those who dwell in the secret place of the most high God abide in (Psalm 91:1). David said in Psalm 57:1, "....in the shadow of thy wing will I make my refuge until these calamities be overpast." You are secured under the shadow of God as he will not allow you to dwell for too long in the valley of the shadow of death. You are just walking through.
LIGHT IN THE SHADOW OF DEATH
Wherever there is a shadow, light is always present. In the valley of the shadow of death the light of God is visible. Those who see the light and do not allow fear to cloud their vision will surely walk through the valley into light.
"The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region of the shadow of death light is sprung up" (Matthew 4:16, Isaiah 9:2).
Jesus is the light that leads out of the valley of the shadow of death. He said in John 8:12, "...I am the light of the world; he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness..."
Jesus is ahead of you in the valley of the shadow of death and as you follow him faithfully, you will walk through into light.
In Matthew 5:14, Jesus told his disciples, "ye are the light of the world."
The world cannot see Jesus because their eyes have been blinded by the god of this world, therefore, we his followers that see and follow his light are to lead the world through the valley of the shadow of death by showing them the way. Jesus is the way, the truth and the life (John 14:6). Let the world see Jesus and the light of God in you.
DELIVERANCE OUT OF VALLEY OF THE SHADOW OF DEATH.
God is ready to deliver the world out of this looming shadow of death. Psalm 107:14 says, "He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and brake their bands in sunder."
He will bring us out of the shadow of death by his mighty power because of his mercy and compassion.
Amos 5:8 tell us that he turns the shadow of death into the morning. Weepings may endure for the night, but joy comes in the morning (Psalm 30:5).
Get ready world! God will cause joy to burst forth in the universe after this pandemic, for he will turn this shadow of death into a glorious morning of joy.
CONCLUSION
Hear this word of hope:
"Then he will remove the cloud of gloom, the shadow of death that hangs over the world" (Isaiah 25:7NLT).
What a marvellous ray of hope from the one who knows all, sees all and is able to do all things. Glory and honour be to his name forever.
PRAYER: Father, please lead us through this valley of death because of your mercy and compassion. Remove by your mighty power, the cloud of gloom and shadow of death hanging over the earth in Jesus name.
