Casting a Giant Shadow
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. – Psalm 23:4 (NIV)
In this post Easter season, there are still comforting reminders of God’s love in spite of frequent floods and tornadoes {just to name a few} that constantly keep us on the edge. These two natural catastrophic occurrences (as we’ve seen in the recent headlines) make it virtually impossible to overlook the reality of fear and death. Fear can simply be defined as an unpleasant often strong emotion caused by anticipation or awareness of danger while death is literally a permanent cessation of all vital [bodily] functions - the end of life.
Yet God has taken care of fear and death through what Jesus accomplished for us when he rose from the grave; giving the testimony that death, hell, and the grave were conquered for all time. I don’t know about you, but each year that I am able to see the dogwood trees begin to blossom in both white and pinkish red in the early weeks of spring [seemingly before the other trees go through transformation], I have hope.
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. – Psalm 23:4 (NIV)
In this post Easter season, there are still comforting reminders of God’s love in spite of frequent floods and tornadoes {just to name a few} that constantly keep us on the edge. These two natural catastrophic occurrences (as we’ve seen in the recent headlines) make it virtually impossible to overlook the reality of fear and death. Fear can simply be defined as an unpleasant often strong emotion caused by anticipation or awareness of danger while death is literally a permanent cessation of all vital [bodily] functions - the end of life.
Yet God has taken care of fear and death through what Jesus accomplished for us when he rose from the grave; giving the testimony that death, hell, and the grave were conquered for all time. I don’t know about you, but each year that I am able to see the dogwood trees begin to blossom in both white and pinkish red in the early weeks of spring [seemingly before the other trees go through transformation], I have hope.
I’m sure you’ve noticed how trees can cast shadows depending on the angle of light from the sun; for instance, a long shadow noticeably appears in a landscape in the mid afternoon between the hours of 1:00 and 4
:00. Nonetheless, as I see it, God casts a giant shadow of his eternal presence. What do I mean by this? Check this out! Now, in order for an object to cast a shadow, what do you think must happen simultaneously? Light! By spiritual comparison, who is the "light" that casts a shadow over death? It is none other than Jesus Christ. The light of Jesus is thrown against the face of death and we can fearlessly pass through its reflection. Hebrew 9: 27 says, “Just as man is destined to die once, after that he faces judgment.” In order words since death for us is going to come, what should our attitude be? Christ passed through the halls of death, snatched the keys from Satan, and gave them to us when he rose from the dead! This alone is worth shouting over. Hallelujah!
There is still another side to the victory that Christ accomplished for us. Notice what Romans 8:1 records: “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.” From this verse, imagine the Apostle Paul stressing the headline, “Not guilty; let him go free.” For someone on death row, this is a highly welcomed thing. The fact is that the whole human race is on death row, justly condemned for repeatedly breaking God’s holy law. Without Jesus we would have no hope at all. But praise God! He has declared us not guilty and has offered us freedom from sin and the power to do his will.
:00. Nonetheless, as I see it, God casts a giant shadow of his eternal presence. What do I mean by this? Check this out! Now, in order for an object to cast a shadow, what do you think must happen simultaneously? Light! By spiritual comparison, who is the "light" that casts a shadow over death? It is none other than Jesus Christ. The light of Jesus is thrown against the face of death and we can fearlessly pass through its reflection. Hebrew 9: 27 says, “Just as man is destined to die once, after that he faces judgment.” In order words since death for us is going to come, what should our attitude be? Christ passed through the halls of death, snatched the keys from Satan, and gave them to us when he rose from the dead! This alone is worth shouting over. Hallelujah!There is still another side to the victory that Christ accomplished for us. Notice what Romans 8:1 records: “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.” From this verse, imagine the Apostle Paul stressing the headline, “Not guilty; let him go free.” For someone on death row, this is a highly welcomed thing. The fact is that the whole human race is on death row, justly condemned for repeatedly breaking God’s holy law. Without Jesus we would have no hope at all. But praise God! He has declared us not guilty and has offered us freedom from sin and the power to do his will.
In that same chapter, Paul asks the question,“ Who then will condemn us? No one – Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting at the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us.” (Romans 8:34) In stressful times like we’re living in, it is good to know that God has cast a giant shadow over fear and death. In an act of love [through Jesus], God has provided comfort and confidence for us – becoming our Good Shepherd.
I like what the Rev. Paul Revere, Pastor of the Ebenezer-St. James Charge of the United Methodist Church in Denver, NC, highlighted in his sermon entitled “Following the Good Shepherd.” Speaking to the awaiting congregation at St. James UMC, Rev. Revere emphasized that the big idea of Psalm 23:4 alludes to our journey [as believers] into the dark valley where life becomes more difficult and at times painful. In this process, he listed the following points worth remembering:
1) In the valley of the shadow of death, each of us are brought face to face with God,
2) Shadows are merely reflected images – but without substance. They can scare us, but not hurt us,
3) God allows us to go through the valleys because its easy to forget about him when we live comfortably on the mountains,
4) Whenever trouble comes, it can be an opportunity for joy to abound, and
5) When faith is tested, endurance gives birth to strength of character.
In a nutshell, these five points theoretically glorify God who is clearly a caring shepherd and a dependable guide. 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 (Psalm 23:4) is a powerful reminder. Prayerfully, we all should rehearse that death casts a shadow because we are entirely helpless in its presence. Sure, we can struggle with other enemies such as pain, suffering, disease, and injury; but strength and courage cannot overcome death. In a sense, it has the final word, however, the encouragement is - Jesus has taken the sting out of death. Jesus can walk with us through death’s dark valley and bring us safely to the other side. Selah
1) In the valley of the shadow of death, each of us are brought face to face with God,
2) Shadows are merely reflected images – but without substance. They can scare us, but not hurt us,
3) God allows us to go through the valleys because its easy to forget about him when we live comfortably on the mountains,
4) Whenever trouble comes, it can be an opportunity for joy to abound, and
5) When faith is tested, endurance gives birth to strength of character.
In a nutshell, these five points theoretically glorify God who is clearly a caring shepherd and a dependable guide. 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 (Psalm 23:4) is a powerful reminder. Prayerfully, we all should rehearse that death casts a shadow because we are entirely helpless in its presence. Sure, we can struggle with other enemies such as pain, suffering, disease, and injury; but strength and courage cannot overcome death. In a sense, it has the final word, however, the encouragement is - Jesus has taken the sting out of death. Jesus can walk with us through death’s dark valley and bring us safely to the other side. Selah
