The storm breaks on the mountain, but the valley is the place of quietude, and thus full often the last days of the Christian are the most peaceful of his whole career; the mountain is bleak and bare, but the valley is rich with golden sheaves, and many a saint has reaped more joy and knowledge when he came to die than he ever knew while he lived. Let’s be honest. Omnipotent love must fail before one of his sheep can perish; for, says Christ, "none shall pluck my sheep out of my hand." But as we’ve seen so far in this study of Psalm 23, things aren’t always what they seem. Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil. The late Rev. Thou shalt prepare a table before me, against them that trouble me. "Though I walk in the valley of the shadow of death", that is, though I be so near death, that it seems to others death may catch me every moment, though I be under so many appearances and probabilities of extreme danger, that there appears an impossibility, in sense, to escape death, "yet I will not fear." W. M. Thomson. I will fear no evil. "Even when I go through the darkest valley, I fear no danger, for you are with me" (Ps. The shepherd invariably carries a staff or rod with him when he goes forth to feed his flock. They can, however, understand the difference between light and dark. This it is to have God for a friend. It is his rod, his staff; therefore they comfort. If we had no troubles but real troubles, we should not have a tenth part of our present sorrows. It will be precious to him to support your weakness; prove that when weak, then are you strong; that you may be secure, his strength shall be perfected in your perfect weakness. What the Bible Says About Racial Injustice and the Church, The Overwhelming Evidence of God’s Goodness, Why Playing the ‘What If’ Game is the Wrong Thing to Do, The Extraordinary Gift of Letting Jesus Breathe on You. When a carnal man's heart is ready to die within him, and, with Nabal, to become like a stone, how cheerfully then can those look that have God for their friend! “I will fear no evil for You are with me.”. As boys, when they see a bear, a lion, or a wolf dead in the streets, they will pull off their hair, insult over them, and deal with them as they please; they will trample upon their bodies, and do that unto them being dead, which they durst not in the least measure venture upon whilst they are alive. How does it affect your view of God’s faithfulness? Psalm 23:4a Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; … In the previous lessons on Psalm 23 (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3), we’ve studied how this Psalm not only relates to Jesus as the Good Shepherd, but also how it relates to our salvation and walk with the LORD. 67 Bible Verses about Shadow Of Death Psalm 23:4 ESV / 10 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful 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. However I may be afraid of the agonies of dying, I will fear no evil in death. We find him doing this in Psalms 23:4 : Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil. blessed is the man that can take a right sanctuary, and knoweth whereupon to rely, and in whom to trust in the day of his need. In other films, as a prison guard leads a prisoner to the death chamber, the priest stands there praying. I would never be able to march into the valley of the shadow of death like soldiers do. As frightening and foreboding as death may seem, it can neither hurt nor destroy the child of God. And, then, it is not "the valley of death," but the valley of the shadow of death, for death in its substance has been removed, and only the shadow of it remains. 586 topical index results for “valley of the shadow of death ... Now that you've created a Bible Gateway account, upgrade to Bible Gateway Plus: the ultimate online Bible reading & study experience! The Bedouin, at the present day often post themselves on the hills to harass travellers, as they pass along the valleys. Valley of the shadow of death. In 1980, Moody warned, “The interesting results of these studies of medical patients who have nearly died should not be used as an excuse for allowing the entrance of … Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. In part three of this series, let’s look again at what the psalmist meant and how it applies to us today. The most disconcerting thing about walking through the valley of the shadow of death is the uncertainty. Numerare oves -- to reckon up or count the sheep; and in this sense they are said "to pass under the rod" (. not to sorrow and pain, but to joy and pleasure, and that to endure for ever! Walking in spiritual darkness separates from the Father and that only makes things worse. 1 Bible results for “valley of the shadow of death. Well now, what say you, man? In order to pass from one life to another, we must traverse the valley – but we mustn’t do it alone. I will fear no evil. What! The figure is not primarily, as is sometimes supposed, our dying moments, though it will beautifully bear that explanation; but it is the valley beset with enemies, posted on the hills. W. L. Walker Part Two, What Do the 8 Beatitudes in the Bible Mean? I noticed in the more serious films, there often seemed to be a scene where someone was praying their last prayer before being killed by the bad guy. We, like sheep, intuitively understand this too. For more details, review our Privacy Policy. With it also he corrects them when disobedient, and brings them back when wandering. Verse 4. In translating the ancient Hebrew, the “valley of the shadow of death” as we know it isn’t quite accurate. He is with us and won’t ever leave us. Here, the psalmist takes the highest form of the unknown, the aspect which is most terrible to man, and says, that even in the midst if it he will trust. California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Remember that the entire chapter has to do with God being the shepherd and us being His sheep fully dependent on Him. Verse 4. What could be so wholly beyond the reach of human experience or speculation, or even imagination, as "the valley of the shadow of death", with all that belonged to it? Oh, do not use that word! This staff is associated as inseparably with the shepherd as the goad is with the ploughman. Christ's victory over the grave is his people's. It is often bent or hooked at one end, which gave rise to the shepherd's crook in the hand of the Christian bishop. Another Mistranslation. A valley is a low place, with mountains on either side. Join us as we continue our study through Acts as we pick up in Acts 23:12-35. This is a great, precious promise we should all cling to. Where are the Kingdoms of Judah and Israel Today? Has it changed knowing it’s not about doom and gloom but rather about how we face hard times? You can unsubscribe anytime. Journey to the Jordan: The Israelites’ Historical Hike to the Promised Land Part Four, Journey to the Jordan: The Israelites’ Historical Hike to the Promised Land Part Three, Journey to the Jordan: The Israelites’ Historical Hike to the Promised Land Part Two, Journey to the Jordan: A Study of the Israelites’ Historical Hike to the Promised Land Part One. Sheep aren’t that smart. They will lose that actual fellowship with Christ in the tomb which dying saints will have, and we are expressly told that they shall have no preference beyond those who are asleep. But as we’ve seen so far in this study of Psalm 23, things aren’t always what they seem. Love stories, drama, comedy…I love it all (the clean ones anyway). "At that moment I am with you," whispers Christ; "the same arm you have proved strong and faithful all the way up through the wilderness, which has never failed, though you have been often forced to lean on it all your weakness." The little child out at sea in the storm is not frightened like all the other passengers on board the vessel, it sleeps in its mother's bosom; it is enough for it that its mother is with it; and it should be enough for the believer to know that Christ is with him. Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death. "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." Thus is this bodily death a door or entering into life, and therefore not so much dreadful, if it be rightly considered, as it is comfortable; not a mischief, but a remedy for all mischief; no enemy, but a friend; not a cruel tyrant, but a gentle guide; leading us not to mortality, but to immortality! Verse 4. Sign up for weekly devotions, relevant Christian news, and special offers! Viscountess Powerscourt. "We may not be spared to each other long. All is well! Submit your prayer requests here! Which of the valiant ones of the world can outface death, look joyfully into eternity? What is the Church, and What is Your Part in It? Every word in it has a wealth of meaning. Verse 4. John Prime, 1588. Who Were the Two Criminals Hanging Next to Jesus? "Thou art with me." Thy rod and thy staff, by which you govern and rule your flock, the ensigns of your sovereignty and of your gracious care -- they comfort me. "Oh blessed is the soul that is in such a case; yea, blessed is the soul whose God is the Lord." Ecclesiastes 2:2 . Was Jesus Supposed to be Called Immanuel? All rights reserved. There can be no danger to the Christian, whatever may happen! Understanding Psalm 23: The Table, the Oil, and God’s Faithfulness, The Persistent Love of God: Exploring the Book of Hosea, Taking the Riddles Out of the Parables Part One: A Closer Look at the Parable of the Sower, Taking the Riddles Out of the Parables Part Two: Heaven, the Wheat, and the Tares, Taking the Riddles Out of the Parables Part Three: The Other Mustard Seed Story, Taking the Riddles Out of the Parables Part Four: Guarding Your Treasure, Taking the Riddles Out of the Parables Part 5: The Tragedy of Wasted Talent and Opportunity, Abraham, Isaac, and Jesus: Their Amazing Stories of Obedience and Blessing, New Beginnings: How Peter Became the Rock of the Early Church. Is Jesus’ Atonement for Sins Only for His Elect? King James Bible Answer: Psalm 23:4, which reads, “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” (ESV), is one of the most well-known verses in the Bible. Good people, in all heartless imperfections, mark, I pray you, that they who fear every mist that ariseth, or cloud that appeareth -- who are like the mulberry tree, that never shooteth forth or showeth itself till all hard weather be past -- who, like bystanders and lookers on, neuters and internimists -- who, like Metius Suffetius, dare not venture upon, nor enter into, nor endeavour any good action of greatest duty to God, prince, or country, till all be sure in one side -- are utterly reproved by this ensample. Every word in it has a wealth of meaning. The dying saint is not in a flurry, he does not run as though he were alarmed, nor stand still as though he would go no further, he is not confounded nor ashamed, and therefore keeps to his old pace. Nature, indeed, may start back and tremble, but I trust that he who knows the flesh to be weak, will pity and pardon these struggles. Your email address will not be published. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”. You think they cannot be merry when their countenance is so grave; but they are sure you cannot be truly merry when you smile with a curse upon your souls. Makes me totally trust on God. All is right! We do not need to fear. Why, what friend is it that keeps up your spirits, that bears you company in that black and dismal region? Though I were called to such a sight as Ezekiel's vision, a valley full of dead men's bones; though the king of terrors should ride in awful pomp through the streets, slaying heaps upon heaps, and thousands should fall at my side, and ten thousands at my right hand, I will fear no evil. Verse 4. This twenty-third psalm is not worn out, and it is as sweet in a believer's ear now as it was in David's time, let novelty hunters say what they will. What will we find when we get there? These are the dark valleys. We go through the dark tunnel of death and emerge into the light of immortality. ... An integrated digital Bible study library - including complete notes from the NIV Study Bible and the NKJV MacArthur Study Bible - is just a step away! I know I’ve found myself thinking about it more since I did that research, and it’s only made me love and trust Him more on the bad days. "I want to talk to you about heaven", said a dying parent. Verse 4. Prove him -- prove him now, believer! A wise man might prefer of the two to die, for those who shall not die, but who "shall be caught up together with the Lord in the air," will be losers rather than gainers. Philip Bennet Power. Let’s also remember how verse four ends for yet another reason: “Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.”. Hence, the word is applicable to any path of gloom or sadness; any scene of trouble or sorrow; any dark and dangerous way. Well, it is done? Includes discussion questions. We'll send you an email with steps on how to reset your password. I love getting your comments. Are the Rapture and the Second Coming the Same Thing? Let us be of Paul's mind when he said that "To die is gain", and think of "departing to be with Christ, which is far better." Proud member
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