Psalm 23:4

Through The Valley Of Death

"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." (Psalm 23:4)

Because the Lord is my Shepherd, and cares so deeply for me, I have no fear of death. Death is a valley for most people, a deep dark valley; a valley of despair and fear, but, praise God, it is not so for us! Death is only a shadow now, it has lost its gruesome death-hold on us, and is a mere shadow of what it was. Now, I can truly ask, with the apostle Paul, "O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?" (1 Cor. 15: 55). Christ has literally wretched the victory from the hands of Satan, and passed that same victory unto us, and we live forevermore! I cannot walk this valley without Christ, for as soon as I enter its threshold, I am dead, having died in my sins; but with Jesus, oh, he is with me, I can do all things through Him, which strengthen me, even walk in this loathsome valley of death. There is comfort in His presence. There is peace, joy, love grace, and LIFE in Him, and we can endure this valley because He goes with us through it, and removes the "sting" of death. 

Yea, even if death comes and nips at my heels as I walk, I have nothing to fear; If he breathes his fiery breath of death into my face, I can smile and continue on; even if he chides me and heckles me as I go, and taunts me until I want to scream... "though art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me" and I will prevail. Friends, I am on the winning side, but only because of Jesus. Take comfort in Him. Jesus is there for you. Most of us think we can take anything short of death if we have to, but with Jesus, we can even stand in the face of death. Against all odds, Jesus prevails. We would do well to hide ourselves in Him, thereby sharing His victory over death and hell. Be aware of the presence of Christ; it is a great comfort to know that he is there; whatever the trial, whatever the affliction, Christ is there with you; He will carry you through. When life is drudgery, and depression has you down, look up! Look up to Jesus, He is always there. He will never let you down when you fully trust in Him; he can't; it is not in Him to do so. We walk through many valleys every day, but Jesus leads us out and there is a mountaintop ahead. Keep walking. Keep believing. Keep trusting in Christ.  --Marty Dunn

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