Walking through the Valley
Psalm 23:4
September 10, 2006
Morning Service
Lisa Beamer’s coat closet is now filled with things she never wanted to own. There are large plastic containers filled with thousands of postcards and letters from people all over the world. There are also songs, poems, various items with the Lord’s Prayer on them and homemade momentos with the words “let’s roll.” She received two purple hearts from veterans that believed that Todd had earned theirs by his actions on flight 93. There are videotapes with TV interviews, newspaper clippings and one more item. The shattered remains of Todd’s watch, which still carry the smell of jet fuel. The only readable part of that watch is the date, September 11th.
Five years ago the clear skies of New York, Washington D.C. and rural Pennsylvania were pierced by hijacked airplanes and a diabolical plan to pierce the soul of our nation. Five years ago we woke up from our dreaming and found ourselves living in a nightmare. Five years ago we watched, as planes become missiles, icons were reduced piles of rubble, lives were lost and hearts were broken. Five years ago we watched as our false security was shattered and millions were drawn back to God in masses only to leave Him once the crisis was over.
Five years ago, we realized how very fragile life truly is and we were given a reminder of the things that mattered. We hugged our kids and grandchildren a little tighter. We told our spouses that we loved them a little more often. We prayed to God with a little more sincerity. We were given a wake up call from the pits of Hell only to allow Satan to lull us back to sleep.
Life is not the same as it was on September 12th because we are more like we were on September 10th. We have forgotten the lives that were lost on that dreadful day and we have forgotten the lives of those who have been forever changed. We have forgotten the widows who are raising children alone. We have forgotten the parents who will never hold their children again. We have forgotten the heroism shown by ordinary people who rose to the occasion in extraordinary ways. This morning I want to raise fresh awareness in your hearts and minds of our nations deepest wounds and remind you of our only hope for healing.
At 8:45am on September 11th, our world was completely changed. As planes plunged into the twin towers of the World Trade Center, the strong walls of the Pentagon and open fields of rural Pennsylvania, our world was changing. It was beginning to crumble.
The psalmist reminds of times like these. Psalm 11:3 says this: What can an honest person do when everything crumbles? CEV
What do you do when the world crumbles? How do you respond? How do we go on?
The night of September 11th 2001, President Bush read a familiar passage of scripture. It is a passage that not only gives us comfort in tough times but gives us hope for a brighter future. If you have your Bibles with you, please open them to Psalm 23
1 The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, 3 he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. 4 Even 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. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6 Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
This morning I want to focus your attention to verse 4 of that beautiful Psalm because it contains the promises of God for our days in the valley.
The valley is filled with a variety of shadows that try to cover us. there is the shadow of despair, the shadow of discouragement, defeat, difficulty, doubt, division and even death.
Five years ago our nation seemed to walk in the very shadow of death. This morning I want to look at some of the promises of God for our days in the valley.
Even 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. Psalm 23:4
I. Even in the valley God surrounds us - We have companionship
Look at the words of David: You are with me. There is no doubt what David is saying here. Even in the lowest times of his life, God was right beside him. One of the most precious promises in all of scripture is that whatever we go through in life, we never go through it alone. God is with us.
The same God who hung the stars in place and created humanity in His image is the one we can call LORD. We know Him by name - I Am. Not I will be, can be or might be but I am. The god who parts seas, establishes nations, heals the sick and raises the dead is the very same God who wants to lead you through your valleys.
5 You hem me in--behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me. 6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain. 7 Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? 8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. 9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, 10 even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. 11 If I say, "Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me," 12 even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you. Psalm 139:5-12
We are often prone to forget that the promises we proclaim in the peaks are even more essential in the pits. We praise God in the pinnacle and we should praise him at the pits. God’s promises ring true no matter where you are in life.
II. Even in the valley, God is strengthens us - We have confidence
I will fear no evil
When God is with us we can be fearless. There are times when that seems like a tall order. Fear hunts us. Fear haunts us. Fear hounds us. Fear hits us. We forget the power and the strength of God. Often we forget in the valleys of life. We forget when we are afraid.
Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. 29 He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Isaiah 40:28-29
I believe we need a gentle reminder of the strength of God. Think about it for just a moment. Who created everything in just six days? God Almighty. Who protected Noah and his family during the flood? God Almighty. Who parted the Red Sea? God Almighty. Who stood with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednigo in the furnace? God Almighty. Who raised Jesus from the dead? God Almighty. Who strengthens you in your valleys? God Almighty.
III. Even in the valley, God is supports us - We have comfort
your rod and your staff, they comfort me
When God is with us we have comfort. The word comfort means to come along side and help. God literally comes to your side and helps you through the valleys of life. Shepherds carried two main items at all times a rod and a staff. the rod was a type of wooden club that was used to defend the flock. The staff was long and usually made of wood. The staff would have a crook at the end to be used to guide the sheep. the staff was used to give direction. God offers both defense and direction to His people.
We tend to forget just how much God supports us. He lifts us up in His strength when we are weak.
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. Isaiah 43:2
God promises to be with you when you go through the valley. He is there to surround us in His presence. God is there to offer His strength and supply His power. He comes along side you to provide His divine support.
Conclusion
Do It Again by Max Lucado
