The valley of the shadow is a dark and lonely place.
In the valley you cannot see ahead, it is too dark.
In the valley you cannot retreat....the entrance is shut up to you.
The shadows make an otherwise lovely valley seem ominous.
In the valley of the shadow you yearn for escape.
In the valley of the shadow you feel alone, even though there may be a million other people in the valley, too, because each one is focused inward.
In the valley of the shadow you feel the enemy's vile, hot breath as he hisses out accusations against you, taunting you.
In the valley of the shadow the nights are long and filled with heartache.
In the valley of the shadow fear is a very real companion, holding tight even as you wrestle to free yourself of its evil clutches.
Is there any way out of the valley of the shadow?
If the darkness obscures our vision, how will we find our way?
Just as the sheep could not find its way alone...neither can we. We need a shepherd.
In the valley of the shadow we are NOT alone.
Our Savior is right there with us, for He has promised never to leave us or forsake us.
Though the darkness clouds our eyes, we may look to the LIGHT.
He will take our hand if we reach out to Him, and He will lead us out into the sunshine of day.
He will cause the shadows to flee, He will shine as the noonday sun!
Although we cannot see His hand of mercy in the valley of the shadows, we must never lose sight of the fact that it is there.
Every valley has an end.
When we reach out to Him, He will lead us out. He is the only one who knows the way.
He will lead us into the sunshine of the mountain tops where the air is clean and we can once again feel the wind in our face.
We will hear the birds sing again and peace will reign in our hearts.
If we walk hand in hand with the Shepherd, He will lead us down His path to greener pastures, to still waters where He will restore our soul.
"The Lord is MY Shepherd...I shall not want
He makes me to lie down in green pastures
He leads me beside still waters
He restores my soul.
Yea though I walk THROUGH the valley of the shadow of death
I will fear no evil
For THOU art with me"
---Psalm 23: 1-4
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1 comment:
Thank you for this reminder. We all walk through some sort of valley that seems to be our death; but the Lord is always with us. And even when family members are walking through a valley we can look to the Lord for encouragement and strength. Thanks so much, great post!
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