Valley of the Shadow of Death
I took a call from a friend recently. He has been in the valley of the shadow of death with cancer now for the last seven or eight years. It has been a roller coaster for him. Sometimes it’s appeared God has healed him, only to later have the cancer comeback. This has happened more than once.
In a Freedom in Christ prayer call not long agp, I used Psalm 23 to transition our team into prayer. It is a such a special, intimate and helpful Psalm. It always draws me in. Before the prayer time, I looked at the notes in my Bible and saw that the valley of the shadow of death can also be translated as the “valley of deep darkness.” After my friend’s call, I realized that both translations of Psalm 23:4 fit his circumstance. He is in both the valley of death and the valley of deep darkness. He has been fully committed to the doctor’s therapy as he should be, but more than that, he’s placed his hope in God.
But things are not looking good right now medically. The reality of his finiteness is setting in.
As we talked, he was buoyed by claiming the truth of Hebrews 12:2. In the valley of darkness/death, he still is looking to Jesus, the author and perfector of his faith. It was a beautiful moment as we talked, shared verses, and cried together. He taught me again that although death is real and a certain for all of us (unless Jesus comes back first), we need not be in despair when we walk the path.
My friend was not in the darkness of despair.
At the same time, he still experiences deep physical pain and has concerns over his wife and children if he passes. And he wondered what he had done for God during his life. Could he have done more? We talked about the concept of a ship leaving a wake behind it. I reminded him that his life and faith have impacted many. His wake is substantial and will be remembered by many. He’s made an impact for Jesus on so many others.
Friends, we are not long for this earth.
When we are young, it seems like we will live forever. But even then, we are mistaken. If we become Christians as adults, we regret the lost time. But we have to leave our past in the past and look to the present and the future as Hebrews 12:1 reminds us. We must keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, the founder and finisher of our faith. God makes promises that extend into eternity, and we can trust them.
“For this God is our God for ever and ever; he will be our guide even to the end (even beyond death).” Psalm 48:19 (NIV)
More than just being our guide to the end, God—in the person of Jesus—knows death. He meets us in our pain.
“Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery” Hebrews 2:24-25.
Whatever Valley of the Shadow of Death you are facing today, Jesus knows. He knows because He’s been there. Take heart!