Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for thou art with me. (Psalm 23:4a)
We have a longer text to look at today; the first part of v. 4. The sheep have been on the home range, where their kind shepherd has provided all the needs of the sheep. There has been rest, refreshment, restoration and replenishment. The sheep can truly say that their “cup runs over.”
Now, in our text today, the sheep are on the way to the high summer grazing land. Yeah, though I walk—we have here a picture of calm, reposed, trusting, safety. While the sheep were in the home pasture there was sufficiency (1-3); on the journey in the valley there is serenity.
Through the valley of the shadow of death. The way to the tablelands must go through the valleys. It is a way of danger with rockslides, predators, and bad weather. But it is also the best way. God’s sheep do not need to fear as they approach death, because the Lord is with them.
Of course, this picture causes us to think of death, but it actually speaks of the shadow of death. This dark valley represents any difficult experience of life that God’s people might go through. It is the shadow of death because the sting of death has been removed by Christ at His resurrection; only the shadow remains.
I will fear no evil—we see in these verses grandeur, quietness, and assurance. There are many evils along the journey: predators, sudden storms, flash floods, rock slides, and snow avalanches. The believer does not need to fear any of them when the Lord is with him.
For thou art with me. During this time the flock is entirely alone with the shepherd.
Sheep lack good vision and are easily frightened—the presence of the shepherd calms them. David knew this very well. When Samuel came to look for him, he was not at home, but was up in the hills tending his father’s flock. He knew firsthand the difficulties, dangers, and delights of a trek into the high country. What sweetness it is to know that the Lord is with us!
Why must the shepherd take the sheep through the valleys to get to the grazing lands? There are three reasons.
First, it is the best way. We might think that our way seems terribly tough, but in the end it is the best way to get to higher ground. Even the valley of death opens unto an eternity of delight with God!
Second, the sheep must go through the valley because it provides the most opportunity for water. Going straight up the mountainside will not offer much in the way of water. This is found in the valleys; the experiences of life. Sooner or later the believer discovers that it is in the valleys of life that refreshment is found from God Himself.
Third, it is the way with the best forage. The shepherd does not hurry his flock. There are lambs along who have never been this way. They must take it slow to drink and feed where water and food are available. The shepherd knows what dangers lurk in the dark valleys. In spite of these hazards, he knows that this is still the best way to reach the high country. He is ever watchful, looking to take his flock into safe cover.
Our Shepherd knows all this when He leads us through the valleys with Himself. He knows where we can find strength and sustenance despite the threats of disaster about us. All of this should multiply the believer’s confidence in Christ. If you do not know the Savior, come to Him today!