Just a Shadow

Happy Sunday. Verse 4 of the 23rd psalm is likely one of the most well-known verses in all of scripture: "Yea, though I walked 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." It's likely that you can quote that verse from memory. Even non-Christians seem to know those words.

We often say that life is a series of peaks and valleys. We all know that the valleys are the low points when we use that expression. Psalm 23:4 paints the picture of a dark valley. You have the idea of a shepherd leading his flock through the valley from one green pasture to another. Perhaps there are high cliffs, and the light is dim, and there's danger on this journey.

We can all define the dark valleys in our lives. We need to know several truths about dark valleys. Dark valleys are inevitable in our lives. Jesus said this in John 16:33: "In this world you will have tribulation." We've talked about this before.

Sadly, today there are preachers who wrongly proclaim that if you love God enough, you'll be rich and successful and happy, and life will always be a bed of roses. It is labeled the prosperity gospel, and it's very popular, and it's very wrong. It's not biblical. Jesus promised, "In this world you will have tribulation." I've never known anyone whose life has gone according to their neat little plan. You will have dark valleys. They are inevitable. That is the truth.

The second thing that I notice about dark valleys, that they are unpredictable. You cannot plan for them. I was wondering if I would even be able to record a sermon this week. Monday my back went out, and I was in a great deal of pain. This week I guess I lived a little bit of Psalm 23:2: "He makes me to lie down." And he did. It wasn't planned that; it couldn't be avoided. Have you ever had a flat tire at a good time? Dark valleys can show up at any time.

Point three: dark valleys are non-partisan. No one is immune. Dark valleys don't care how good or how bad you are. Matthew 5:45 tells us, "He makes the sun rise on the evil and on the good, and he sends rain on the just and on the unjust."

Now, there is some good news about dark valleys we need to remember. Dark valleys are momentary; they do not last forever. When Jesus said in John 16:33, "In this world you will have tribulation," he finished that statement statement by saying, "But be of good cheer; I have overcome the world."

We need to also know that dark valleys may just have a purpose for our lives. Listen to these words from First Peter 1:6 and 7: "So be truly glad. There's wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while. These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purify as gold, though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world, whole world."

Do you ever listen to Dave Ramsey? Maybe you've read one of his books or gone through his Financial Peace class. I highly recommend you listen to Dave Ramsey or read his books. He's helped millions of people get out of debt and live within their means. His ministry began when he went through bankruptcy years ago. Because of that dark valley experience, he has spread light to millions. So many ministries are born out of dark valleys; I could name several.

David tells us in Psalm 23 that this particular valley is the valley of the shadow of death. That's such a great way to describe death, the darkest valley that many people can think of. But if you follow the Great Shepherd, death is just a shadow. A shadow cannot hurt you. Have you ever been run over by a shadow? There's a big difference between getting hit by a shadow or getting hit by a truck. Also, shadows are always bigger than reality. People can be afraid of shadows.

Here's a great teaching from Psalm 23:4. David says this about this dark place: "I will fear no evil, for you are with me; you're right and your staff, they comfort me." The great teaching here is that if we keep our eyes on God and we remember that he is with us, we will not fear. We do have a choice to focus on the valley or to focus on God. God is always there, and we must remember.

David goes on to say that his rod and the staff are great comfort. The rod, like a club that a shepherd would use as an offensive weapon. David used it to kill bear and lion, we are told. A staff is a crooked stick that is used to guide and to pull us closer to the shepherd. Whatever your valley, you need to focus on the shepherd.

As I was preparing this message, I heard of a family that I've known a long time going through a very, very dark valley. I encourage you to be sensitive not only to your walk through those valleys but to others, and to pray for them, that they would always look for the Great Shepherd.

Pray with me. Lord, as I pray this prayer and think about dark valleys, I think about friends right now that are going through difficult times, and I pray that you would protect them and guide them, and they would keep their eyes on you, and that the valley would be temporary, that they wouldn't camp out there, but they would get through it, and you would find them green pastures and still water and restore their soul. I ask your blessings on each one that listens to these words. Wherever they are in their walk, let them walk with you. In Jesus' name, amen.

God bless. Thank you for joining me.