Valley of the Shadow

The book of Psalm is so rich in wisdom, praise, worship, counseling, comfort, love, faith, and many more, but it is most especially rich in shedding light on what we would experience in life. Many of its prophetic messages have already occurred in our lives. Let’s look at 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.”

Every one of us will one day walk through a “valley of the shadow of death”, there is no way to avoid it. But I want us to focus on the word shadow in this verse. In some cases, shadow can be scary, it can bring fear and/or cause someone to panic. I see shadow as a disguise of a real thing and if not realized early, one may become too fearful and/or panic. Which can cause one to err from the faith as believers in Christ.

So, remember that no matter what your situation may be, consider it a passage through the “valley of the shadow”. Some examples of these situations can be loss of job, loss of loved one(s), loss of good health, loss of career/job, impact of economic recession, experiencing division in your relationships due to politics, family hassle, effect of a pandemic, to name a few. They are all “shadows” that we pass through. Notice the next statement of verse 4 states, “I will fear no evil”.

So, do not fear, do not quit, do not look back, do not sit on the fence, but move forward! You are just walking/passing through, and you will come out on the other side gloriously, refreshed and revived.

Prayer: Father God, thank you for the strength you will give me to pass through the valley of the shadow of my problems and to come out gloriously, refreshed and revived. Praise be to your name because I know that you are with me and will not allow the shadow to consume me. Give me more strength, grace, and your Spirit. I need you to comfort me in Jesus Christ Mighty Name. Amen

Pastor Mrs. Dorcas Akinleyimu