{"id":2922,"date":"2018-01-04T11:59:25","date_gmt":"2018-01-04T16:59:25","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/admin.patheos.com\/blogs\/holywrit\/?p=2922"},"modified":"2018-01-09T08:49:19","modified_gmt":"2018-01-09T13:49:19","slug":"psalm-23-walking-valley-shadow-death","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/holywrit\/2018\/01\/psalm-23-walking-valley-shadow-death\/","title":{"rendered":"Psalm 23: Walking Through the Valley of the Shadow of Death"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<\/head>

\"psalm<\/a><\/p>\n

Psalm 23 is often recited at funerals. Why? In part because it speaks of walking through \u201cthe valley of the shadow of death.\u201d But what does this phrase mean?<\/p>\n

This poetic phrase addresses in part our times of life in which we endure hardship. The \u201cvalley\u201d was known as a low point in Israel, the area between two hills or higher elevations. To exit the valley required a climb, perhaps even a difficult struggle to reach a preferred destination.<\/p>\n

In addition, the \u201cshadow of death\u201d is used to accentuate the situation of this particular valley. The valley is not simply a low point, but also a place of darkness and the end of life.<\/p>\n

The psalmist realized even in the most extreme circumstances he did not need to fear the evil he faced. Why not? \u201cfor you are with me.\u201d The presence of God overpowered any negative.<\/p>\n

Our self-obsessed culture focuses on the \u201cpower within us\u201d and depending on our own strength to conquer life\u2019s challenges. While hard work is noble, it is insufficient.<\/p>\n

Instead, the Lord calls us to experience his presence. With it, we gain his strength. This strength changes our perception of life\u2019s problems. Whether a physical storm or personal challenge, we need not fear, but rather focus on the one with us who can rescue us in any situation.<\/p>\n

I recently wrote out Psalm 23 for the second time. As I did, I remembered this is not the only place God calls us to focus on his presence with us. Two other occasions immediately came to mind.<\/p>\n

The Lord Your God Will Be with You Wherever You Go<\/h3>\n

First, Joshua 1:9 finds God telling Joshua, \u201cHave I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Joshua was to have bold confidence because God was with him.<\/p>\n

I Am with You Always<\/h3>\n

Second, Jesus used similar words in his final challenge to his disciples. The end of Great Commission notes, \u201c\u2026and surely I am with you always, even until the end of the age\u201d<\/em> (Matthew 28:20).<\/p>\n

The disciples could take the message of Jesus to the ends of the because Jesus would still be with them. He would no longer walk with them in person, but would work through them by the power of the Holy Spirit.<\/p>\n

If more of us who follow Jesus would remember his presence in us today, how would this change our lives? Our families? Our communities? Our nation? Our world?<\/p>\n

Psalm 23 reminds us the power is in us as followers of Christ. However, it\u2019s not our power, but his power that leads us to move forward in faith.<\/p>\n

+++<\/p>\n

Dillon Burroughs<\/strong><\/a> is the author and coauthor of numerous books and blogs about his experiences of handwriting the Bible at the Holy Writ Project<\/a> on Patheos.com<\/a>. Find out more about Dillon at Facebook<\/a> or Twitter<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Psalm 23 is often recited at funerals. Why? In part because it speaks of walking through \u201cthe valley of the shadow of death.\u201d But what does this phrase mean?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3103,"featured_media":2757,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[497,150,1],"tags":[794,798,799],"class_list":["post-2922","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-handwrite-the-entire-bible","category-handwritten-bible","category-handwritten-copies-of-the-bible-2","tag-handwrite-the-bible","tag-psalm-23","tag-valley-of-the-shadow-of-death"],"yoast_head":"\nPsalm 23: Walking Through the Valley of the Shadow of Death<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Psalm 23 is often recited at funerals. Why? 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