Walking Through the Shadow of Death Fear No Evil

Walking Through the Shadow of Death

Fear No Evil

“For you are with me”

Don’t ever let the fear in the valley cause you to lose sight

Of the fact that Jesus is with you

God brought you into the world with purpose

The purpose is to know Him

To walk securely because He promised to “never leave us…

Therefore we say with confidence the Lord is my helper” 

One of the greatest ways to increase our awareness of His presence

Is singing songs to the Lord and praying

Remember Jesus started the walk through the valley of the shadow in prayer

In the Garden His spirit became one with the Father

And His strength came as He prayed

Father not my will but thy will be done

Fear No Evil

There is probably something wrong with you

 if you like walking down a dark alley.

Dark alleys are known for evil.

If you have to walk down a dark

alley you don’t want to do it alone.

When I think of walking through the valley of

the shadow of death, I think of Jesus walking from

the Garden of Gethsemane to the Cross on Golgotha.

It is hard not to cry, it is hard not to be

angry when you envision Jesus’ valley of

The Valley of the Shadow of Death.

The shadow of death.

It was dark, evil and full of pain.

I can’t imagine choosing the

rejection, pain and suffering of Jesus.

It was bitter, a bitter drink, a cup

of suffering no one would choose.

 

I have heard many people say they were

not afraid to die, but the way they die.

Most of us don’t choose the way we die.

If we could choose we would choose first

the rapture and if our time comes before that

we would choose the path of less suffering.

Jesus’ walk in the Valley of the Shadow

of Death has taught me something.

The lesson comes from the verse in Hebrews 12:2…

“Who for the joy set before him endured

the cross, scorning its shame,”

“Joy” it is hard to see joy in the midst of death and suffering.

Jesus saw something in the midst of the pain and suffering.

The pain and suffering were real but so was the joy.

Jesus saw the very purpose of being

born into this world fulfilled.

He saw His life gave meaning through His death.

Jesus came into the world to save us from sin and evil.

In His death, He conquered the wages of sin.

He paid the price with His perfect

life for us who did not deserve it.

The lesson is…

 In the bitter, look for the sweet.

When I am with a family who has just lost a

love one, I tell them that their loss is very bitter,

but don’t miss the sweet God has for them.

Take in all the love you get from

those who come to comfort you.

Enjoy the stories and memories, words

and actions of encouragement that will come

at the funeral home because you will need it.

Jesus overcame the fear of evil with

the joy that was set before Him.

Death is a result of evil, the curse of disobedience

that started in the Garden of Eden.

 I also know this message is 2000

years old and spoken from every pulpit.

But the truth remains.

Jesus who was rejected and died alone 
is the one the Psalmist says…

Even though I walk through

the valley of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil,

for you are with me

Psalm 23:4

                                                                

“For you are with me”

Don’t ever let the fear in the valley cause you

to lose sight of the fact that Jesus is with you.

God brought you into the world with purpose.

The purpose is to know Him.

 To walk securely because He promised to…

“Never leave us… therefore we say with

confidence the Lord is my helper”  

One of the greatest ways to increase our awareness

of His presence is singing songs to the Lord and praying.

Remember Jesus started the walk through

the valley of the shadow in prayer.

In the Garden, His spirit became one with the Father

and His strength came as He prayed…

“Father not my will but thy will be done.”

  

Scripture Reading

Psalm 23 NIV

The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.

2 He makes me lie down in green pastures,

he leads me beside quiet waters,

3 he restores my soul.

He guides me in paths of righteousness

for his name's sake.

4 Even though I walk

through the valley of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil,

for you are with me;

your rod and your staff,

they comfort me.

5 You prepare a table before me

in the presence of my enemies.

You anoint my head with oil;

my cup overflows.

6 Surely goodness and love will follow me

all the days of my life,

and I will dwell in the house of the LORD

forever.

Hebrews 12:1-3 NIV

 2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross , scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.