THROUGH THE VALLEY OF THE SHADOW OF DEATH – PSALM 23 — Part 11
Por El Más Oscuro de Los Valles – Salmos 23 — Parte 11
By Mary Hunt Webb
Posted Sunday, July 29, 2012
A valley is an area of low altitude with hills or mountains around it that usually contains (or contained) a river or stream. [Photographer: Stefan Giulianni. Photo courtesy of Stockvault.net.]
Psalm 23:4 "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me." (New King James Version)
Salmos 23:4 "4) Aunque pase por el más oscuro de los valles, no temeré peligro alguno, porque tú, Señor, estás conmigo; tu vara y tu bastón me inspiran confianza." (Dios Habla Hoy)
In the arid western portion of the United States, a valley is usually a good place. Most valleys exist because a water source formed them. With a few exceptions, valleys tend to be cool and green with vegetation in summer. The wandering path of rivers and streams causes many valleys to be up to several miles in width. In narrow valleys, trees and other plants often receive protection from harsh winds that blow off of mountaintops.
Dark valleys are usually narrow passages between steep slopes or in narrow canyons. [Photographer: Ali Halder. Photo courtesy of Stockvault.net.]
However, there are dark valleys. These are usually narrow passages between steep slopes or narrow canyon walls. Fortunately, such valleys seldom extend far. Each turn in the bend brings a change of scene. Although dark valleys may seem longer if one is walking rather than driving or riding through them, they don't usually go a long distance.
Psalm 23:4 makes reference to the temporary nature of such an experience when it says, "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me." [Italics are mine.] (New King James Version) The word "through" implies that the valley has an exit.
[In the Spanish translation of this verse, I chose the "Dios Habla Hoy"* version because it uses the word "por" to convey the idea of temporarily passing through a valley and coming out on the other side. More traditional translations, such as Reina–Valera 1960, use the word "en", which frequently translates as "in". However, that word does not carry the assurance that the valley ends.]
The reference to a valley makes us think of physical terrain, but most of us have been through emotional valleys as well as medical and financial ones. Mental depression, family difficulties, financial problems, and health issues all constitute valleys in our lives. Many of us have come through situations in which our survival seemed uncertain. (See the posting for May 29, 2012, "He Restores My Soul", for the description of an event in which death seemed immediate.) All such events or situations feel like "the valley of the shadow of death" so that it is tempting to panic and experience a lack of hope.
In difficult situations, it is tempting to panic. [Photographer: Magnus Rosendahl. Photo courtesy of Public–domain–photos.com.]
Therefore, we must concentrate on the part of Psalm 23:4 that states, "I will fear no evil." That verse goes on to state why we are not to fear; it is because God is with us. He has not left us.
When we feel that we are at the back of the flock, we may lose sight of our Heavenly Shepherd. In such situations, we may find it difficult to remember that we are following God and not the other sheep that are ahead of us.
We must remember that we are following our Heavenly Shepherd; we are not following the sheep that are immediately in front of us. [Photographer: Max Van Holten. Photo courtesy of Stockvault.net.]
That is why God, our Heavenly Shepherd, must use His rod and staff to guide us so as to remind us that we are following His leading. Such tools are meant to direct and help us rather than to harm or threaten us. His instruments of guidance for us may take various forms so that they vary according to our unique needs and situations at any given time.
Our difficulties are not a surprise to Him. In order for Him to help us, we must put our trust in Him, rather than in those around us.
Walking with the Lord is a journey. Like any journey, it has exciting moments as well as difficult ones. As we continue to follow Him, we may travel through dark valleys of difficulties but we do not remain there. The Lord wants us to stay close to Him. As we seek to obey His teachings, He guides us out of those difficult, tight places.
The Psalmist, David — who later became King David — recalled such a time when the Lord delivered him from trouble. In 2 Samuel 22:7, David wrote of the Lord, "He also brought me out into a broad place; He delivered me because He delighted in me."
It is our prayer that you, too, will trust Him to bring you out of your valley. When you put your faith in the Lord, you belong to Him, and He delights in His own.
Bible Verses for This Posting
Psalm 23:4 "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me." (New King James Version)
Salmos 23:4 "4) Aunque pase por el más oscuro de los valles, no temeré peligro alguno, porque tú, Señor, estás conmigo; tu vara y tu bastón me inspiran confianza." (Dios Habla Hoy)
2 Samuel 22:20 "He also brought me out into a broad place; He delivered me because He delighted in me." (New King James Version)
2 Samuel 22:20 "Y me sacó a lugar espacioso; Me libró, porque se agradó de mí." (Reina–Valera 1960)
As long as we remain confident that our Heavenly Shepherd is with us, He will not allow us to stray. [Photographer: Merelize. Photo courtesy of Stockvault.net.]
Psalm 23 — 1) The Lord is my shepherd. I shall not want. 2) He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. 3) He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name's sake. 4) Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. 5) You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. 6) Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the LORD Forever." (New King James Version)
Salmos 23 — 1) El Señor es mi pastor; nada me falta. 2) En verdes praderas me hace descansar, a las aguas tranquilas me conduce, 3) me da nuevas fuerzas y me lleva por caminos rectos, haciendo honor a su nombre. 4) Aunque pase por el más oscuro de los valles, no temeré peligro alguno, porque tú, Señor, estás conmigo; tu vara y tu bastón me inspiran confianza. 5) Me has preparado un banquete ante los ojos de mis enemigos; has vertido perfume en mi cabeza, y has llenado mi copa a rebosar. 6) Tu bondad y tu amor me acompañan a lo largo de mis días, y en tu casa, oh Señor, por siempre viviré. (Dios Habla Hoy)
* "Dios Habla Hoy" = "God Speaks Today"
