Steve Ellison: Comfort In The Valley Of The Shadow Of Death

  • Saturday, October 10, 2015

Thousands of years ago in the Garden of Eden, sin and death entered the world.  Our ancestors from whom all of us descended, Adam and Eve disobeyed a direct command from God.  Their rebellion brought a curse upon the world that will not be lifted until the end times.  Suffering became a part of every person’s life.  Death became our ultimate enemy and each of us will succumb to it.  Genesis 3 not only gives that record but it also tells us that God has provided a way out of the mess we created.  Sin entered the world through Adam and Eve which makes us all guilty.  However, we would be wise to keep in mind that soon after birth, as soon as we figured out how, each of us also began to sin as fast we could.  Verse 15 of Genesis 3 prophecies that God would send One who would defeat Satan and the death he led Adam and Eve to. 

Psalm 23 is perhaps the most familiar chapter in the Bible.  Psalm 23:4-6 declares the goodness of God in the face of our greatest enemy, Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.  Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. (KJV)  When God was faced with disobedience and rebellion by the crown of His creation, He did not respond as most of us would have.  Rather than destroying the rebellious creatures, God provide a way out.  Not only did He provide a way out, He uses His rod and His staff to comfort us.  Coming from a shepherd, this speaks of protection from enemies.  In addition to protection, we receive tremendous blessing.  God sets up a banqueting table, anoints our heads, and the provisions He gives are more than we could ask or imagine.  All of this is “in the presence of our greatest enemy, death”.

These protections, blessings, and provisions are not material things, nor are they spiritual things.  All of God’s gifts to us are wrapped up in the person of Christ.  We talk a lot about a plan of salvation.  I suppose that is a somewhat helpful phrase; however it is more accurate to speak of a person of salvation.  Salvation is found in a personal relationship with Christ and no place else.

First Corinthians 15:54-57 tells of the victory won by Christ, "Death is swallowed up in victory.  "O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?"  The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (NASU)  Revelation 1:17-18 tells us that Christ is the only solution needed for our greatest problem, "Do not be afraid; I am the first and the last, and the living One; and I was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of death and of Hades.”(NASU)  Christ alone has the answer to your greatest problem, death.  He has conquered death.  Furthermore, He has the keys to the next life. Trust in Him and Him alone while still in this life or you will spend eternity separated from Him.  

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