LEARNING DAILY

 

Psalm 23:4, Yea, 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.

 

It was getting late in the day when we began a very interesting drive on a road that included sharp turns, narrow lanes, and steep drop-offs. Our tour guide told us to look to the right to see in the distance the “probable path Jesus took as He walked in a valley in the West Bank near Jericho. Pastor Ed was going to do some teaching here; before we exited the bus, we were instructed to be very careful where we walked and not get close to the edge. It was quite steep and a long way to the valley floor. The valley is called the Wadi Quel or the Valley of the Shadow of Death. King David referred to this area as he wrote Psalm 23.

 

All of us have read this Psalm, many of us have memorized it. This verse in the Psalm certainly has much greater meaning to us now. The drive to where we got out was a little scary. I can only imagine David as he roamed this valley or our Lord as He walked through it regarding the dangers that were to be found here. The ravine or valley is overhung with high cliffs that no doubt cast shadows and projected danger; the shy or fearful person might not venture through here because of robbers or the wild beasts that were here.

 

Here is the Good News for each person who walks with Jesus Christ as their Savior and their Lord – for those who are walking each day on the narrow way to eternal life in God’s kingdom – we do not need to walk in fear when those times of danger or difficulty or even death come! Why? The psalmist told us it is because the Lord Jesus Christ is with us. Jesus told us in Matthew 28:20 that “I am with you always, even to the end of the age”. The Psalmist is suggesting when there is a shadow over our valley of danger or uncertainty or even sadness in our life, the Lord will be with His faithful followers to guide us and get us through that valley. For Believers, valleys can be very fruitful or productive places to walk; it is there that we can learn great lessons of the Lord’s presence, comfort, and protection.

 

“Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me!” In the valley, the sheep understand that the shepherd is their protector; any enemy will have to “go through” the shepherd to get to the sheep. The sheep must stay close to the shepherd as he guides them through the right paths or rescues them from the trouble they get themselves into.

 

Do you see and understand the correlation as to the Good Shepherd guiding and caring and loving His sheep? May this new year be one where each of us grows closer to Him through not only reading His word but taking time to study what you read. The next part of that is to apply it to your life as you walk the narrow way. May Matthew 5:6 be your heart’s desire – to hunger and thirst for His righteousness – and to diligently seek His kingdom (Matthew 6:33). Trust Him, even when He does not seem to be close. Be assured that He is always with you, and He wants you to trust in Him! Acknowledge Him in your life and know when you do, He will guide you as He knows best for you!