When Christians Walk Through The Dark Valleys.

by Joe Kirby, Evangelist at Off The Kirb Ministries.

Psalm 23:4 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.

There are 3 comforting thoughts I'd like us dwell on from this lovely verse.

​1.Shadows don't kill people
I don't expect you've ever witnessed a sword fight first-hand? Neither have I!
But supposing we did and the shadow of the sword fell across your body. Would you die from the shadow? It might shock you, it might spook you but it certainly wouldn't kill you!
You see once we are in Christ, the sting of death has been removed, it's only the shadow which remains. Death is the final enemy but because of the cross it is a defeated enemy.

2. Lying down defeated won't get you very far
David writes "though I walk." You might be in the middle of a pandemic... but you still have to keep walking. You might have lost your job... but you still have to keep walking. In all of your years of evangelism you might have seen no converts... but you still have to keep walking. What other choice do you have? Lying down defeated won't get you very far . Self pity (as tempting as that can often be) has never helped anyone before. There is no other option,. There is no plan B . Our only choice is to take one step at a time. Just one small step at a time . Keep your eyes on the Shepherd and He will get you through this valley.

3. Don't rush God
But again note David walks. It doesn't say Yea though I run through the valley of the shadow of death. No it says he walks. You see the man of God, the woman of God doesn't run , they quietly endure the trial God has permitted to fall into their life. Perhaps I'm the only one who can't wait for an end to this crisis. But we mustn't rush the lectures of God for when we finish we will get a PHD in suffering which is better than anything you can get at Oxford or Cambridge.

Let me leave you with one final question. When we get there, when we arrive safely home, will there be any shadows in heaven?
No the glories of the Lord Jesus Christ will shine far too brightly for there to be any shadows in heaven. As the children's hymn goes "Shine Jesus shine," and He will shine! So at this difficult time let us point the world to the Saviour who has walked through the darkest valley and longs for all mankind to also reach His shadowless paradise.