Walking in Some Fearsome Places

“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.”-Psalm 23:4.

We are told by those who do surveys to learn these facts that the most-quoted New Testament reference is John 3:16, a classic verse telling of God’s love for us and His sacrifice to restore man’s broken relationship with Him. And of the Old Testament references, Psalm 23 is the most quoted and beloved.

My daily devotional post for more than a week has been on the subject of the Christian’s walk. We have examined how we can walk in love, in righteousness, face and walk uprightly in a new year, walk in humility, walk securely, in harmony, in the light, patiently, and by the Spirit.

But when we have to walk in some very fearsome places, what then? We continue to walk using all the Christian characteristics we have learned about and putting them into practice. And even in the “valley of the shadow of death,” no evil will beset the Christian for he has a companion to walk with him through this veil of transition from this life to the next.

Think in terms of Christ being the good shepherd and being there to guide His sheep—His followers. A good shepherd, even of the earthly type knew well how to prevent his sheep from dying if they stumbled and could not get up. He lifted them from pitfalls, or guided them with his rod and staff. When they were hungry and thirsty and needed food and a pure water supply, he led them to green pastures and beside still waters. From whatever condition the sheep were cast down or were disquieted, even the pangs of death, the shepherd rescued them.

Recently some dear cousins and some close friends have gone through severe illnesses leading to death. Death is not a stranger to us, for our families experience the pangs of death as we deal with aging, illnesses, and accidents. Even when death comes into our ranks, the Good Shepherd “restores our soul.” He does this because He is “the health of my countenance and my God.” Praise God for His shepherding, even in and through the valley of the shadow of death.

Because we know Jesus, our Good Shepherd, we can pray triumphantly when death occurs to one we love: “O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?” (1 Corinthians 15:55, KJV). –Ethelene Dyer Jones 01.11.2015.