Psalm 23 #7– Serenity in the Valley

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil;
For You are with me;

“Psalm 23 has charmed more griefs to rest than all the philosophy of the world,” once opined Harriet Ward Beecher.

“It has remanded to their dungeon more felon thoughts, more black doubts, more thieving sorrows, than there are sands on the sea–shore. It has sung courage to the army of the disappointed. It has poured balm and consolation into the heart of the sick.” Beecher added.

Charles Spurgeon, the great preacher and theologian from England, offered this perspective.

“Psalm 23 is the Nightingale of the Psalms.” The nightingale is a rare bird that sings its love songs during the darkest night just as this wonderful writing whispers hope into our hearts in the midst of the valleys of life.”

Shepherds often move their sheep from pasture to pasture, from the home ranch to the summer ranges in upper elevation, then back down again. The process of necessity takes the sheep through various valleys. Some fraught with danger. One commentator suggested David’s reference is to an area between Jericho and Jerusalem. It was a dangerous and treacherous path. It was the setting for Jesus’ parable of The Good Samaritan, where a man was beaten, robbed and left for death by thieves.

Regardless, the Psalmist’s point is that the sheep are safe when the Shepherd is by their side, leading, protecting, and providing. I wonder if David thought about leading his father’s sheep through the valley, as he now led the nation of Israel through difficult times as their King.

This valley is described as “the valley of the shadow of death.” Death is a sobering word. A cold word. A frightening word. We don’t even like to say it. We prefer euphemisms. We say, “She passed away.” “He expired.” “She’s gone.” In a lighter vein we speak of someone “pushing up daisies, or “kicking the bucket,” or being “six feet under.”

However, our joking aside, there is a bit of nervousness attached to contemplating our death. Thinking of walking this valley may produce apprehension, dread, or outright fear. There’s an old Woody Guthrie song that doesn’t help much, but only adds to our uneasiness.

You gotta walk that lonesome valley,
You gotta walk it by yourself,
Nobody here can walk it for you,
You gotta walk it by yourself.

However, the Psalmist refutes the premise of Guthrie’s song. You are not by yourself. You are not alone. The Shepherd is walking with you. Furthermore, He’s not going to leave you there. You are walking through the valley. Death is not the final destination. He will take us through it to safely reach the other side where blessed and redeemed await on heaven’s shore.

The metaphor may also include walking through a dark valley of danger, seemingly insurmountable difficulties, or frightening situations. He will calm our fears, soothe our souls, and embolden us with the courage to keep on going.

As a result, we will “fear no evil.” With faith and trust in The Good Shepherd we feel safe and secure. He says to us as He said to the disciples, “Let not your hearts be troubled.” Our faith in Him and His Word subdues our fears. So, we “walk by faith and not by sight” (2 Cor. 5:7). While I don’t agree with all of his theology, Max Lucado offers this beautiful thought from one of his books that speaks to this issue.

– Faith is trusting what the eye can’t see.
– Eyes see the prowling lion. Faith sees Daniel’s angel.
– Eyes see storms. Faith sees Noah’s rainbow.
– Eyes see giants. Faith sees Canaan.
– Your eyes see your faults. Your faith sees your Savior.
– Your eyes see your guilt. Your faith sees his blood.

Your eyes look in the mirror and see a sinner, a failure, a promise-breaker. But by faith you look in the mirror and see a robed prodigal bearing the ring of grace on your finger and the kiss of your Father on your face.

Yes, the Lord is my Shepherd. And with Him I can confidently  walk through any valley.

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman