Blinded By the Shadow!

…though I walk through the valley of the SHADOW of death…..

Several years ago, we got that call no parent would ever want to receive. Our oldest son had an accident and was in a coma. Many, many people get those kinds of calls. That kind of news.

a bad doctors visit
news from or about your child you never wanted to hear
fired from your job
spouse wants a divorce
spouse in an affair
death of someone close to you
death of a child or spouse

Bad news reports can be endless.

shadow When we get that kind of news, it feels like a shadow has fallen upon us, threatening to squeeze the life out of us. Never seeing the sun again. This shadow overwhelms us, blocking out the light.

The shadow of death is more threatening than death itself. Why? Because the shadow of death can come any time. Death only comes once.

The shadow of death plagues us everyday of our lives.

So many live under the shadow of death rather than the life Jesus died for us to have.

…though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil….

Fearing no evil? Really? Yeah, right! How does that happen? This evil is why I am afraid – catatonically held in this place. Frozen in my fear! And by my fear!

….I fear no evil, for You are with me….

I don’t have to be afraid any more. Because You, My Lord, are WITH me. Thank you.

One of the biggest reasons we are afraid and choose to live within the SHADOW OF DEATH is because the shadow is the only thing we see!

When we are in the midst of these valleys, we struggle to see the Lord Jesus who is with us! Walks with us. Holds our the sand hands. Wraps His arms around us, strengthening us, giving us life again to take the next step.

And not only is He with us, but He is working His will out in and through us – IN OUR SITUATION.

We are NOT going through tough times for nothing. He is working out a process.

…Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me….

The rod and staff have a two-fold purpose. One is for correction and the other for support and aid, basically comfort.

Even if we have created the shadow of death scenario by a sinful act or choice or contributed to it in any way, His rod will correct us (if we allow it) and His staff will comfort us.

God is ALWAYS at work in our situation. He creates purpose!

Remember the man born blind in John 9:1-2? The disciples asked, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents?”

“Neither but so that the works of God might be displayed in him”, Jesus answered.

Then Jesus healed this blind man. Gave him sight for the first time in his life. He CREATED purpose through his blindness and displayed the glory of God through it.

I woke up with the words from this song this morning – “all for Your glory”. Listen to it here.

We need sight as well. We need Jesus to touch our eyes that we can see Him, see what He is doing in and around us. See what he is working in the midst of our shadow of death. See the light –

“While I am in the world, I am the light of the world….” – John 9:5

Even if you struggle to see what God is up to in your trial, you CAN rest in that –