VERSE 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.”
This verse of the beautiful Psalm is generally spoken of as descriptive of the believer's experience in the passage of death—the death of the body. "The valley" is generally viewed as the path that lies between the two regions of life; and, though it may be dark and dismal, the saint of God, having the Shepherd's rod to guide and His staff to comfort him, need fear no evil.
Most truly there is every reason for the departing soul calmly to trust the Lord at that solemn moment, and during that brief but mysterious passage; but we do not think that the text refers, merely, to the believer's experience in his own death, but also to the dark shadow which the death of another may cast on our path. To the departing one all shadows flee away. To those left behind they may be dark and heavy.
For example: A dear and loved fellow pilgrim has been called up higher. His or her place is empty. The broken circle is overwhelmed in sorrow. The whole scene below is clouded. The pallor of death shades everything to the eye and, in the felt loneliness of the bereaved heart, the path, once so bright and joyous, has been turned into "the valley of the shadow of death." But the happy soul of the dear departed rests in the pure light of God and in the unmingled blessedness of His presence.
“No shadows yonder—all light and song;
Each day I wander; and say, How long
Shall time me sunder from that dear throng?
“No weeping yonder—all fled away!
While here I wander each dreary day,
And sigh, as I ponder my long, long stay.
“No partings yonder! —time and space never
Again shall sunder—hearts cannot sever
Dearer and fonder, hands clasp forever.
“None wanting yonder;-bought by the Lamb,
All gathered under the ever green palm,
Loud as night's thunder ascends the glad psalm.”
Yet, the dark impenetrable veil that separates the two states of being must not be passed. Faith alone may cross the threshold and see the dear departed one resting—at home—with Jesus—in the paradise of God. Here everything save the blessed Lord Himself may seem gone; but He is near, very near, blessed be His name. "Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me.”
“Be still, my soul! when dearest friends depart,
And all is darkened in the vale of tears,
Then shalt thou better know His love, His heart,
Who comes to soothe thy sorrow and thy fears.
Be still, my soul! thy Jesus can repay
From His own fullness all He takes away.”
To those left behind it is "the valley of the shadow of death." And so dense is that shadow sometimes in this weary wilderness that even the heavenly orbs seem changed and shine differently.
At such a time the enemy is sure to assail the distressed soul from all points with his fiery darts. A thousand thoughts may be suggested from the past. A lifetime may be reviewed in a moment by a mind in agony. Time misspent—precious opportunities allowed to pass may be the accusations of the foe. In such overwhelming circumstances nothing but the firm footing of God's own plain statement of truth could bear up the stricken soul. But the Good and Great Shepherd is near. He causes His voice to be heard. The eye is turned to Him. He lifts the fainting soul, folds it in His bosom, and bears it far above, away from its mere human feelings and spiritual foes. What would such trials and conflicts be, could we not say in truth, "Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me"?
Nothing can now be known of the condition and occupation of the loved, departed one, save that which Holy Scripture reveals. But oh, blessed be the God of all grace! The light of a cloudless sky rests on the whole scene, the beams of divine light break through the darkness of these darkest of earthly days—we can see behind the veil. From the chamber of death to the house of many mansions, a bright pathway has been consecrated for the believer by the risen and victorious Christ. The light of the glory "is now made manifest by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel." 2 Tim. 1:1010But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel: (2 Timothy 1:10).
Glorious truth! Precious certainty for every believer in Christ Jesus—death was abolished on the cross and triumphed over in the resurrection of Jesus; and by the gospel eternal life to the soul and incorruptibility to the body have been brought into the clearest, fullest light. There may be great feebleness on the part of many Christians in apprehending these all-precious truths but the blessed facts remain the same. They are all connected with the Person of Christ: and the moment that He is received and trusted, the believer is associated with Him beyond the power of death and the grave. "I know," says the apostle, "whom I have believed [trusted, margin], and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day." 2 Tim. 1:1212For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. (2 Timothy 1:12). Christ, personally, was the apostle's one object. All that was dear to him, right on to the glory, was committed to Him.
What truths—what comfort for the soul that is passing through the dark valley! Death annulled—the eternal life of the soul possessed—the incorruptibility of the body secured. Such is the sure portion of all who have fallen asleep in Jesus—of all who can say with the apostle, "I know whom I have trusted," of all who are simply looking by faith to Jesus and resting on Him alone for salvation.
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“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.”
“What lies beyond the valley?... What saith the Scriptures? Listen again, 'Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death.' Thank God, for the Christian, it is not walking into the valley, which would suggest that the valley is the end; but through the valley, which eloquently witnesses that its deep shadows are not the terminus of our pilgrimage. There is something beyond." (G.M.L.)
“Beyond the smiling and the weeping,
Beyond the waking and the sleeping,
Beyond the sowing and the reaping,
I shall be soon.”
(H.B.)