Good morning. Today, we are continuing in our series Stress-Busters. So far, we have taken a look at 4 of the things that cause us a lot of stress in life. To do so, we have looked at Psalm 23. Here is what we have learned thus far.
“The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.” is God’s antidote for worry. “He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters.” is God’s antidote for busyness. “He restores my soul.” is God’s antidote for damaged emotions. And last week, we learned that, “He guides me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.” was God’s antidote for indecision.
There is an old Arab parable that says, “All sunshine and no rain makes a desert.” If you never have any down times, dark times, gloomy times in your life, you’ll be dried up. You’ll have no depth to yourself, no maturity. It takes good times and bad times to make a mature person. Life is a mixture of pain and pleasure, of victory and defeat, of success and failure, of mountain tops and valleys. And today we’re going to look at God’s Antidote For The Dark Valleys Of Life.
Even in our darkest valleys, our darkest days, God is there. Psalm 23:4 tells us that, “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.”
In Israel there is a real Valley of the Shadow of Death. It’s a steep, deep, and narrow canyon. The sun only hits the bottom of it when it’s directly overhead at high noon.
The rest of the time the bottom of the canyon is dark. David probably led his sheep through the valley of the shadow of death as he was growing up. As you look in the Bible, the term “valley” also refers to all kinds of rough times in life. Joshua talks about the Valley of Calamity, Psalm chapter 84 talks about the Valley of Weeping, and Hosea talks about the Valley of Trouble just to name a few.
So, how do I handle the dark valleys of life? Well, I think that there are 5 facts about valleys that you need to remember whenever you go through a tough time in life. Those times when quite frankly, your not sure if anyone or anything out there is going to help. David knew that feeling. And as we continue to look at the 23rd Psalm, David, the ancient king of Israel, would say to us in verse 4, “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.”
This morning let’s look closely at what this verse means as we are victims of the valleys and then we will make some practical application to how we can have victory in the valley because “God is with us.”
First, Let’s Begin By Looking At Being Victimized By Valleys
Let’s begin by understanding what David is talking about in this verse. This verse is often used when there is a death. And surely, the death of a loved one is a valley. But sometimes we may think that the “valley” David is referring to here is only the valley of death. Literally, the Hebrew language here reads like this, “the valley of deep darkness.”
You see, we might think of a valley as a gentle, rolling, meadow where living is ideal. And truly there are some beautiful valleys. But David is not referring to that type of terrain here. He is referring to a deep, dark, ravine. When he says we walk through this valley, he is not talking about this kind of place in the physical sense but the emotional sense. He’s speaking of places of deep heartache, of tough trauma, of serious suffering. This is a place where shadows are prevalent, where sadness is present, where suffering is predominate. So, here are 5 truths about valleys that you need to remember when you go through a tough time.
1. Valleys Are Inevitable
One of the worst things we can do is have an unrealistic expectation that life will be without trouble. It is a fact of life, just as every mountain has a valley, every life has difficulties. Jesus was very realistic about that fact. In John 16:33 Jesus Himself says, “In this world you WILL have trouble.” It’s not a matter of if, it’s when. Jesus didn’t say that, “In this world you might have trouble.” He said, “In this world you WILL have trouble.” You’re going to experience disappointment, discouragement, suffering, sorrow, sickness, frustration, failure, and even fatigue. These things will happen. They are a normal part of life. So don’t be surprised.
I Peter 4:12 says, “Do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange was happening to you.” When trials and tribulations come it will help if you expect them. So, valleys are inevitable.
2. Valleys Are Unpredictable
Valleys come when you don’t have time, when you don’t have the resources, and when you’re unprepared. Have you ever had a flat tire at a good time? No, problems just happen. And usually when it’s most inconvenient. It would be great if we could schedule our down times in life. But, unfortunately, you can’t plan life like that. Valleys come suddenly.
Have you ever noticed how quickly a good day can become a bad day? A phone call, a letter, a routine doctor’s check-up, maybe a freak accident even. Valleys can happen when we least expect them. In Jeremiah 4:20 it says, “Disaster follows disaster... In an instant my tents are destroyed, my shelter falls in a moment.” Life is uncertain. In the Living Bible, in James 4:14 it says, “How do you know what is going to happen tomorrow?” The fact is, we don’t know what is ahead of us. So, we need to understand that valleys are unpredictable.
3. Valleys Are Impartial
No one is immune or isolated from them. No one gets a, “Get out of jail free care.” No one gets to skate through life problem free. It doesn’t matter how good or bad you are. Everybody has problems, trials, difficulties, disturbances, down times, valleys in their lives. But that doesn’t mean you’re a bad person, it just means you’re a person. The Bible is very clear that good things happen to bad people and sometimes bad things happen to good people. Valleys are impartial, they strike everyone. They don’t care how good or bad you are. Matthew 5:45 says, “It rains on the just and the unjust too.”
When we go through a difficult time, a valley in life, the first reaction is always, “Why me?” Do we think that we should be exempt from all of the problems everybody else has to go through? Do you think you should be the only one in the universe that never has a tragedy, a loss, looses a loved one? Instead of saying, “Why me?” just realize it’s going to happen because you’re a human being. So, we learn that valleys are impartial, they hit everyone.
4. Valleys Are Temporary
They have an end to them. Despite what we might think, they don’t last forever. They’re not permanent. David says, “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death...” The valley is not something you stay in your entire life. It’s something you
go through, a circumstance, a situation that has a season to it. When you’re in a valley you often think it’s a dead end, but it’s not. It’s like a tunnel, there is a beginning and end. You go through the tunnel and eventually you’re out and back in the light again.
Valleys don’t come into your life to stay. Again, in the Living Bible, in I Peter 1:6 it says, “There is a wonderful joy ahead, even though the going is rough FOR A WHILE down here.” He admits that sometimes you’re going to go through tough times. It’s going to be rough. Life can certainly beat us up. You’re going to have it, for a while.
There is wonderful joy ahead. He’s talking about Heaven. There are no problems in Heaven, no valleys, no dark days.
If you know the Shepherd is your Lord, that’s where you’re going. Paul is telling us that even if you live 80 or 90 years and have a problem every day of your entire life, that is so insignificant compared to the thousands and millions of years in eternity that will be problem free. So, understand that valleys are temporary, they don’t last forever.
And Finally, Number 5. Valleys Are Purposeful
Believe it or not, God has a reason for taking you through the valleys. Whether its doubt, depression, despair, discouragement, defeat, He’s got a reason behind it. Don’t miss the connection David makes in verses 3 and 4. In those verses, David says that, “He leads in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.” And now he says, “As I walk through the valley of the shadow of death.” You see, the Shepherd allows you to go through your valleys so that they can prove your faith. We love to enjoy the mountain tops, but you don’t build faith on the mountain tops. You build faith in the valleys of life.
When everything is going fine and great you don’t really need God. But when you come face to face with a dark valley, you get on your knees. Listen, God is far more interested in your character than He is in your comfort or your convenience. Hebrews 12:7 says to, “endure hardships as discipline.” You see, God’s goal in life is not to make life comfortable for you. He wants to make you like Jesus. Was Jesus exempted from suffering? Did Jesus go through times of loneliness? Yes. Will you? Yes. Was Jesus ever tempted to be discouraged? Yes. Will you? Yes. Was Jesus ever misunderstood, or criticized unjustly? Yes. Will you? Sure. Does God cause accidents and tragedies? No.
God is a good God and He will not cause or do evil. But, can God use accidents and tragedies for good? Absolutely. He can use everything for something positive. So, valleys have a purpose.
Next time that you are going through a valley, try and remember these 5 things.
1. They are inevitable, 2. They are unpredictable, 3. They are impartial, 4. They are temporary, 5. They are purposeful. And if we can understand those 5 things, we might be able to be better prepared to deal with the valleys in our lives. So, now that we know a little about being victimized by the valleys in life, let’s take a look at the important stuff. How do we overcome the valleys that we face in life? To answer that question, let’s take a look at:
Being Victorious Through Valleys
Alright, you prepare yourself for the dark valleys but how do you practically deal with them when you’re in them? How do you get through the dark valleys in life? Let’s look very closely at what David says because within verse 4 are 3 secrets to getting through the valleys. Once again, David says, “I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” So the first step is:
1. Refuse To Panic
Notice how David says what he does here. David says, “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death.” “I walk,” not, “I run through it,” not, “I panic and take off the other way.” The word, “walk,” gives the impression of calmness.
It is deliberately taking steps through the valley. David says, “I’m not going to bolt in fear, I will calmly walk through the valley.” That implies trust. It is saying, “I can walk through the tough times because I know God is with me.”
And notice that he says, “I will fear no evil.” That implies a choice. David says, “I will not be afraid.” This means you have a choice. Refuse to let the valley defeat you. You can’t go around the valley. You can’t go under the valley. You can’t go over the valley. You can only go through the valley. If you are discouraged this morning, part of the problem is that you’re choosing to be discouraged. So, that brings up the question of, “How do I choose to not be discouraged?” And the answer to that question is to focus on God’s power rather than on my problems. You can take 2 people and put them in the identical situation, a chaos, a tragedy, a crisis. One of them will be blown away by it, the other is actually strengthened by it. One of them falls apart, one of them is strengthened through it. What’s the difference? Well, the difference is what they are focusing on.
We need to learn not to focus on our circumstance, but instead, focus on Christ. Don’t focus on the situation, focus on the Savior. Listen to these passages from great people of faith. David says in Psalm 34:4, “I sought the Lord and He answered me, He delivered me from all my fears!” Paul says in Colossians 1:11, “God will strengthen you with His own great power so that you will not give up when troubles come..” In the Message translation of the Bible, in Hebrews 12:2 it says, “Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how He did it. Because He never lost sight of where He was headed, that exhilarating finish in and with God, He could put up with anything along the way: cross, shame, whatever.” Jesus faced the cross with determination instead of depression because He chose to focus on the joy that was on the other side. So, we need to refuse to panic in the valleys of life.
2. Remember That God Is With You
David said, “For You are with me.” God not only promises us His power in the valley, He promises His presence. You will never go through a valley in life by yourself. You will never go through a dark day alone. Notice something that David does here. In the first part of the Psalm all of the pronouns are in the 3rd person, he talks about God. “He leads me beside still waters, He guides me into green pastures, He restores my soul.”
But when he gets in the valley he starts talking not about God but to God. “You are with me. Your rod and your staff comfort me.” When I’m going through the valley I don’t want to talk about God, I want to talk to God. When you’re in the valley and you’re spent, you are depleted, you don’t know witch way to turn, it’s a scary thing in the dark valley. But it can also be a time that God becomes so real to you. God says, “I am with you always. You’re not in this by yourself.”
Isaiah 43:2 says that, “When you go through deep waters and great trouble, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown! When you walk through the fires of oppression, you will not be burned up, the flames will not consume you. For I am the Lord your God and I am with you.”
Please remember this, God does not sit up in Heaven, looking down on you saying, “I sure hope they make it!” Instead, He is right there with you in the valley, walking with you, hand in hand. So remember that God is with you in the valleys of life.
3. Rely On God’s Protection And Guidance
David says, “Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.” Does that mean there is some kind of stick we are to be looking for? No, this is a word picture to represent some important attributes of God. You see, the rod and the staff were the 2 basic tools of a shepherd. A rod was about 2 feet long, with a heavy knot at the end. Shepherds were very skilled at hurling the rod, like a missile, at anything that would attack the sheep. So, the rod symbolizes God’s power. God is saying, “When you go through the valley, I’m defending you. I’m protecting you. I won’t let you endure anything you can’t bear.”
Then we have, “Your staff comforts me.” A staff was a long stick with a crook at the end of it. The shepherd uses a staff to guide and comfort. He will use the staff to draw the sheep in close to him. He will use the staff to lift them up over an obstacle. He will draw them closer to him with his staff. So the staff symbolizes God’s care for us.
So, the question is, “What are God’s rod and staff today? What things does God use to protect us with His power and guide us in His care?” Well, I can think of at least 3 things.
1. God’s Word. The Bible is both a protector and a provider. In the New Living Translation of the Bible, in Hebrews 4:12-13 says, “For the word of God is full of living power. It is sharper than the sharpest knife, cutting deep into our innermost thoughts and desires. It exposes us for what we really are.” If we will read and apply the Word of God, then it will become “living” for us. It will be protecting us from harm and guiding us in the right paths.
2. God’s Family. This is one of the reasons you need a church home. It is within the family of God that He works so mightily. I’ve heard it so often. Just this week, to hear from Ramona about how the church came around her in her time of loss. And by the way, one of the other reasons that we go through valleys is so God can use us as a “Valley Guide” for someone else. In The Message Bible, in II Corinthians 1:3-5 it says, “He comes alongside us when we go through hard times, and before you know it, He brings us alongside someone else who is going through hard times so that we can be there for that person just as God was there for us.” So, God’s family can help us.
And Finally, 3. God’s Spirit. When you come to Christ He offers His presence in a special way. In John 14 He called this presence “The Comforter.” The Holy Spirit, comes and lives within you. Not just a warm, fuzzy feeling, but a real entity to help you, to guide you, to protect you. Jesus said, “I will ask the Father and He will give you the Comforter, and He will never leave you....”
So, His “rod and His staff.” His Word, His Family, His Spirit all to get you through the “valley of the shadows” that you are facing. We need to learn to rely on God’s protection and His guidance.
You know, there are 3 things to remember about shadows.
1. Shadows are always bigger than reality. Fear is always greater than the actual problem. It’s the fear that is enormous.
2. Shadows cannot hurt you. Ever been run over by a shadow? Shadows are images without substance. They can scare you, but they cannot hurt you.
3. There is no shadow without a light somewhere. When you’re going through a dark valley, you think the sun has stopped shining. You can’t see at all and you think you’re in total darkness. But any time there is a shadow it means there is a light somewhere. And where is the light? Jesus said, “I am the Light of the world.”
Now, as we begin to wrap things up today, I want you to listen to a song. The following song is by Eric Clapton, and it is titled, Tears In Heaven.
(PLAY: “TEARS IN HEAVEN” – BY ERIC CLAPTON)
I have always liked that song, by Eric Clapton. But until this week I didn’t know what motivated Eric to write the song we just heard. Tears In Heaven won Eric Clapton a 1993 Grammy and Song Of The Year award. But after finding out some information about the background of this song, I know that he did not write it for that purpose.
You see, Eric Clapton wrote that song in memory of his son, Conor. On March 20, 1991, 2 year old Conor fell out of Eric Clapton’s 53rd story window. It was one of those accidents that was so preventable, and yet can’t be imagined until it happens. Apparently a housekeeper cleaned the 4 foot by 6 foot window and left it open to air out the room. Eric went to retrieve a fax and Conor apparently thinking the window was a door fell to his death.
As you can imagine, the death of Conor had a deep impact on Eric. He said later, “Something in me died that day too. I kept asking, “What if I hadn’t gone to the fax machine? What if the housekeeper hadn’t cleaned the window?” For the next year it felt like I could not breathe, like I was in a hole with walls so steep I could never escape.”
Are you going through a valley this morning? If not now, you will in the future. Maybe you haven’t had Eric Clapton’s tragedy, and prayerfully you never will. But maybe you’ve felt like you’ve been thrust into a dark hole by something that has happened to you. A dark valley with walls so steep that you feel like you could never escape. If that has happens to you, how do you handle those times? What do you do when it feels like life has caved in all around you?
Why not look to Him and discover that what David did thousands of years ago is still true, “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.”
Let’s Pray! |
