Traveling Through the Valley of the Shadow of Death

I was once driving on the 405-freeway heading through Westminster, California, cruising with the flow of traffic, when I noticed in the rearview mirror a car moving at highspeed and weaving through the lanes. Suddenly, another car makes an unexpected lane change and the speeder swerves to avoid the collision, but loses control and spins out on the freeway. The speeder’s car is stuck on the road facing the wrong-way and my only option is brake hard to avoid a head-on collision. It is at that moment that time appears to dilate, and everything moves in slow motion. Fortunately, I was able to stop just short of a fatal impact.

It is at these intense moments that I sing with the angels: “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” (Psa. 23:6).¹ This is that instance when we are encompassed by the shadow of death, not yet crossing the threshold of no return, but being preserved by hand of the almighty.

The rod and staff were the tools of the shepherd’s occupation. “The rod was a club worn at the belt, while the staff was a walking implement that doubled as a weapon in time of need (1 Sam 17:35) and guided and controlled the sheep.”² David knew the shepherding life. He took on the tasks of herding the sheep to water and pasture. He also fended off predators, such as lions and bears, which threatened the flock, which was perilous to his own life. Yet, he realized it was only by the hand of God that he could accomplish his tasks, and the Lord would enable the boy to defeat the Philistine giant (1 Sam. 17:34-37). David sees the Lord as the quintessential Good Shepherd, who graces him with both provision and protection (Psa. 23:1-4).

David also likens God to a generous host whose hospitality remains constant regardless of the circumstances (Psa. 23:5-6). King Saul saw the young David as a threat to his rule, and David was forced to flee into the wilderness. Yet, during that time, David received food and other provisions from Ahimelech (1 Sam. 21:1-8) and Abigale (1 Sam. 25:1-43). David could only come out of hiding after the death of Saul. Years later Absalom’s coup d’état forced David to again flee into the wilderness. At a place called Mahanaim, Israel’s rightful king was gifted with food and provisions from Shobi the son of Nahash from Rabbah of the Ammonites, and Machir the son of Ammiel from Lo-debar, and Barzillai the Gileadite from Rogelim (2 Sam. 17:27-29). Having received the grace of God in the most hostile circumstances, David sings, “You prepare a table before me, in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows” (Psa. 23:5).

David never thinks that he should never have troubles. He experienced a good number of them. Instead, he realizes that whatever befalls him, the constant is the everlasting presence of a gracious, good, and generous God. David sings, “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever” (Psa. 23:6). What he means is “God aggressively pursues (not simply follows) him in this life and ensures that he will dwell with him in the next.”³ For David, this life hardly the only life but he says that God “will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption” (Psa. 16:10). What the Israel’s king sees and yearns for in types and shadows is fully realized in Jesus Christ, the first fruits of those resurrected to everlasting life (Acts 2:22-28; 13:32-38; 1 Cor. 15:22-23).

The imagery of likening God to a good shepherd and host are further expanded upon in the New Testament. Jesus Christ compares the Heavenly Father to a shepherd who leaves the ninety-nine sheep behind to search for the one that went astray, and rejoices when He finds it, for there is great joy in heaven over the sinner who repents (Matt. 18:10-14; Lk. 15:3-7). Jesus even identifies Himself as the good shepherd who faithfully leads and protects His own sheep (Jn. 10:1-19).

Jesus dined with the tax collectors and sinners because He desires mercy, not sacrifice, and calls the sinners to repent (Matt. 9:10-13). The Lord even likens life in God’s kingdom to a great banquet, which is really for the humble in heart, not just for those who were first to receive their invitation, but for everyone who positively responds (Lk. 14:7-20). All Christians anticipate the marriage supper of the Lord (Rev. 19:6-9). Even at the present moment, each time we partake in the Lord’s Supper, we remember Christ atoning sacrifice made on our behalf in the drinking of the wine of His shed blood, and eating of the bread of His body that was broken for us (1 Cor. 11:23-26; cf. Matt. 26:26-28; Mk. 14:22-25; Lk. 22:14-23).

Whether with friends or in the presence of our enemies, God sets us at His banqueting table. God is the one with us to the end and beyond. The God of the 23^rd Psalm never promises a long life of perfect health and unlimited wealth that ends in a peaceful passing away surrounded by family; rather, it offers hope that even in a life immersed in tears the one constant that we can depend upon is God’s grace, goodness, and generosity.

— WGN

1. All Scripture cited from The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), unless noted.
2. Victor Harold Matthews, Mark W. Chavalas, and John H. Walton, The IVP Bible Background Commentary: Old Testament, electronic ed. (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2000), Ps 23:4.
3. Barry C. Davis, The Baker Illustrated Bible Commentary, ed. Gary M. Burge and Andrew E. Hill (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2012), 507.