Psalms 23:4. Yea, though I walk-
Yes, though I walk, not only though I shall walk, but though I do walk now-
Psalms 23:4. Through the valley of the shadow of death,
Though, long before I die, I seem to learn what death means in the cold chill that takes hold upon my spirit, and freezes all my joy, -
Psalms 23:4. I will fear no evil; for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Some seem to think that God’s people would have no distress of mind, and no trouble, if they were trusting in God; but it is not so. Even they "walk through the valley of the shadow of death," but they "fear no evil" even there. When all is dark around you, remember that verse, "Who is among you that feareth the Lord, that obeyeth the voice of his servant, that walketh in darkness, and hath no light? let him trust in the name of the Lord, and stay upon his God." There would be no room for faith if it were always summertime and always noontide. But Christians are called sometimes to pass through that gloomy experience which Mr. Bunyan has so beautifully pictured under the symbol here used, "the valley of the shadow of death." It is a terrible journey, yet there is no cause for fear to strike the Christian’s heart even there; for, let the worst come to the worst, he can say to his Lord, with David, "Thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me" Now look back to the 14th and 15th verses of the 22nd Psalm, and you will see how fully Christ can sympathize with his people, because he also walked through the valley of the shadow of death even as they have to do. Hear him crying there, "I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint: my heart is like wax, it is melted in the midst of my bowels. My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue cleaveth to my jaws, and thou hast brought me" - remember that this is the Saviour speaking here,-"thou hast brought me into the dust of death." Well then, there is great comfort for the sheep in the fact that their Shepherd has been along that gloomy way before them.
Psalms 23:4. Yea, though I walk-
Yes, though I walk, not only though I shall walk, but though I do walk now-
Psalms 23:4. Through the valley of the shadow of death,
Though, long before I die, I seem to learn what death means in the cold chill that takes hold upon my spirit, and freezes all my joy, -
Psalms 23:4. I will fear no evil; for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Some seem to think that God’s people would have no distress of mind, and no trouble, if they were trusting in God; but it is not so. Even they "walk through the valley of the shadow of death," but they "fear no evil" even there. When all is dark around you, remember that verse, "Who is among you that feareth the Lord, that obeyeth the voice of his servant, that walketh in darkness, and hath no light? let him trust in the name of the Lord, and stay upon his God." There would be no room for faith if it were always summertime and always noontide. But Christians are called sometimes to pass through that gloomy experience which Mr. Bunyan has so beautifully pictured under the symbol here used, "the valley of the shadow of death." It is a terrible journey, yet there is no cause for fear to strike the Christian’s heart even there; for, let the worst come to the worst, he can say to his Lord, with David, "Thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me" Now look back to the 14th and 15th verses of the 22nd Psalm, and you will see how fully Christ can sympathize with his people, because he also walked through the valley of the shadow of death even as they have to do. Hear him crying there, "I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint: my heart is like wax, it is melted in the midst of my bowels. My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue cleaveth to my jaws, and thou hast brought me" - remember that this is the Saviour speaking here,-"thou hast brought me into the dust of death." Well then, there is great comfort for the sheep in the fact that their Shepherd has been along that gloomy way before them.