Valley of the Shadow

We rejoice at Easter because Jesus Christ conquered death, once and for all.  The Lamb of God became the sacrifice for our sins, was crucified and buried, and rose from the dead three days later.  This is cause for great joy for all those who believe, because the reality is that from the moment we are born, we begin the slow process of death.  It says in Romans 5:12, “Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned.”  The wonder and miracle of His resurrection from the dead is significant because “…we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.”  (Romans 5:10)

For those who believe in Christ and have accepted His sacrifice on their behalf, we have nothing to fear.  Very often at funerals we hear Psalm 23:4 quoted.  “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil; for Thou art with me.”  I have always associated this verse with those moments when we are forced to face the finality of death or when we are walking through a long and difficult period of suffering or affliction.  It occurred to me though, that our whole life is a walk through a metaphorical valley of ups and downs, and death is always looming.  Note though, that the verse says, “the valley of the shadow of death.” 

There is nothing to fear from a shadow.  It simply indicates that something is blocking the light source.  The shadow of a dog can’t bite.  Because of Christ’s victory over death, death cannot have victory over life.  “Death is swallowed up in victory.  O death, where is your victory?  O death, where is your sting?” (1 Cor. 15:55)  Our souls are eternal.  Death is simply the passage from this life into eternity, and the question then becomes, “Where will you spend eternity?” 

So often we are plagued by fear in life…fear of people, fear of situations, fear of sickness, fear of the future, fear of death.  Spurgeon referred to fear as “those shadows of evil.”  Fear is simply a shadow of evil that is trying to block out the light and grace of Christ in our lives.  Thinking of it this way helps to loosen the power of its grip over our minds and hearts.

We need not fear shadows because He is our Light.  (Psalm 27:1, John 8:12)
We need not fear death because He is our Salvation. (Psalm 27:1, John 3:16)

Our victorious Shepherd
walks with us
through
the valley of the shadow
of death

He is risen!