The Valley of the Shadow of Death

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. (Psalm 23:4 NASB)

David's staff comforted him.

The Coronavirus has us all living in the shadow of death.  Physical death is a reality, but living in the shadow of it can be far more alarming.

We all live from the time of our birth, with or without the virus, in the shadow of death.  We can be here today and gone tomorrow.  The virus has just brought that to the forefront of our conscious awareness.  The Bible does not seek to get us to deny reality, but to live victoriously in it.

A shadow has never killed anyone, but it can enslave you. David feared no evil because he knew that God was with him. He understood that goodness and mercy would follow him all the days of his life (v.6a).  He believed that when the eventuality of his physical demise would come upon him, he will live in the house of the Lord forever (v.6b). What is there to fear about this?  For Christians, death has lost its power over us.

David’s rod warded off the attacks of wild animals.  God’s rod, a metaphor for the Word of God, comforted David.  Who are you listening to today?  Are you hearing only voices that lead you to believe that God has forsaken you?  Or, the Good Sheppard’s voice that says, “I will never leave you nor forsake you “(Hebrews 13:5b). 

I can quarantine you that if you believe, trust, and rely on God and His Word, even though you walk through the valley of the shadow of death of COVID-19, you will fear no evil.