Sheep are vulnerable. Without protection they’re easy prey for predators. Without guidance they’ll break from the flock and find themselves lost in the wilderness. Without green pastures and quiet waters starvation is imminent. Without oil poured on an open wound infections will set in. Sheep are defenseless.
Valleys are dangerous. Predators hide in the shadows. Narrow paths make for treacherous journeys. Food and water may be scarce. Finding the sheep pinned in offers no escape route if attacked. With the long journey, sometimes you wonder if you’ll ever make it. Valleys are perilous.
Still, shepherds lead their flocks of sheep through the valley of the shadow of death. They must in order to secure greener pastures and fresher water for their flocks.
The valley of the shadow of death is a real place. Faith is challenged. Fears are exposed. Loneliness prevails. Danger is heightened.
We’ve all walked through this valley. You’ve been there and so have I. It’s never our first choice, but it’s an inevitable place to journey. Sickness. Death. Abandonment. Joblessness. Poverty. Backstabbing. Finances. Such a journey tests every fiber of our faith because every fiber of our faith needs testing.
When we find ourselves walking through the valley of the shadow of death, we remember how God’s rod and staff bring comfort. The rod was used to fend off predators, while the staff was used to gently prod and guide the sheep. With its hook at the end of the staff, it could be a rescue device for the sheep. Thus, with the Shepherd’s protective rod and staff present, the sheep will not fear the lurking evil.
When we find ourselves walking through the valley of the shadow of death, we recall how Jesus endured this same valley. As he prayed in the garden, he prayed for the cup he started drinking from to be taken from him (Lk. 22:42). Like sweat drops of blood, the anxiety took hold of Jesus. Instead of removing the cup, God sent an angel to strengthen Jesus (Lk. 22:43-44). While hanging on the cross, Jesus quoted Psalm 22:1, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Mk. 15:34) to express the status of his faith. Even the Hebrews writer commentary on Jesus is that his suffering helped make him perfect for our eternal salvation (Heb. 5:8-9). So while we’re called to the valley, we walk a road he himself has walked.
When we find ourselves walking through the valley of the shadow of death, we recount the presence, not only of the Shepherd who leads the sheep, but also our fellow sheep who walk with path with us. The Psalmist is clear that the Shepherd leads the sheep. Shepherds have flocks, not a single sheep. Safety thrives in numbers. So we walk this path with the shepherd and with the flock, knowing many other sheep have come this way. We walk paths others have trod. We face the same danger. We endure the same struggles. We are on this journey together.
We are vulnerable and defenseless. The road we walk is often dangerous and perilous. But we are not alone. We have each other. We have those who have gone before us. And we have a Shepherd. And we are going to make it to greener pastures with fresher water.
Soli Deo Gloria!
(i.e., only God is glorified!)