| J.R. Miller D.D. | Page 11 |
“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.” No doubt these words have lighted more souls into the valley of death than any other one verse in the whole Bible. I shall attempt no explanation of them; they need none. Exposition only mars their beauty.
Probably the valley of the shadow of death is, more correctly, the valley of deep darkness. One who is familiar with the country in which the Psalms were written readily understands the picture which was in the writer’s mind. Some of the valleys or gorges are so deep as to be almost utterly dark. It is necessary ofttimes to lead the sheep through these gorges to get them to some bit of sweet pasture which lies beyond. Not only was there dreary gloom in these narrow valleys, but often in their dark sides wild beasts had their lairs. Thus they would become indeed valleys of the shadow of death for the sheep, were it not for the presence of the shepherd. These gorges fitly represent every dreary and perilous way through which God’s children may have to pass – most fitly of all, the way of death, through which every believer must go to reach heaven’s blessed pasture lands which lie beyond.
The presence of the shepherd took away all fear from the sheep. He carried both rod and staff, – the rod, a heavy club to defend the sheep against enemies; and the staff, a stick to lean upon, and to use also in lifting up any of his sheep or lambs which might fall into peril. These instruments of defence and help comforted the sheep by assuring them that their shepherd would fight their battles, and bring them safely through.
Sometimes God’s sheep, in their experience in this world, must pass through just such deep, dark valleys; and yet they need not be afraid, the Shepherd is with them. Not only is he with them, but he is able and willing to defend them against all enemies, as well as to guide and help them through. This assurance comforts them. The presence of the Shepherd takes away all fear.
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