Passing Through The Valley
April 22, 2020
By Pastor Dan Chun
Whenever I think of Psalm 23, I think of it in the old King James Version, even though it is antiquated, for that is how I learned it:
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:
He leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul:
He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.
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.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies:
Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life:
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
As we face the challenges of our day in health, finances, and emotional stress, I find Psalm 23 to be comforting.
We are reminded that the Lord is like a kind shepherd who takes care of our needs. He will comfort us in difficult times as if He is leading us in serene green pastures, bringing us to places of cool refreshing water, and restoring our souls. Just visualizing that gives me strength and hope.
And though all across the world there is death due to pestilence, we are reminded that we are to walk THROUGH the valley of the shadow of death. It doesn’t say to stop in it.
God will get us through this difficult time of disease and death. He will get us through hardship. For as the Psalm says––surely goodness and mercy will “catch up” to us and and we can dwell in the shelter of the Lord forever. That is one shelter in which I wouldn’t mind staying home.
The book end to this is that Jesus said in verse 11 of the 10th chapter of the Gospel of John, “I am the Good Shepherd, and the Good Shepherd lays down His life for His sheep.” And in verse 14: “I am the good good shepherd. I know My own, and My own know Me.”
It is for this reason I can sleep at night and rest in the love of the Lord. He knows me, protects me, and has given His life for me. Amen!
Prayer: Thank You, Lord, for always being with us, watching over us, protecting us. We praise You and thank You for Your loving kindness. In Christʻs name, Amen.
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