Living in the ‘Shadow of Death’

Danger may lurk in the shadows, but our Shepherd
promises to guide us into the light.

Candid admission: Even though I’m a career journalist and spent my first 10 years as a newspaper editor, I find difficult sometimes to watch the daily news on TV. There seems to be a prevailing mindset that events are only newsworthy if they send a shiver up your spine.

 

I remember a time years ago when news was a reasonable balance of humankind’s accomplishments and failures. Not so these days. Just the other day I tuned in the news, just to make sure there hadn’t been a shift in philosophy. All I saw was mayhem – fatal shootings; hurricanes and tropical storms either hitting or brewing, threatening to eradicate all life in their path; massive fires; new disease outbreaks; wars, and horrific traffic accidents. There was a good news item – the last two minutes of the newscast.

 

Some years ago, a prominent national TV anchor had one of those “hot mic” moments when he declared the role of today’s journalist is, “to scare the (heck) out of people.” Well, congratulations, sir! You and your cohorts are doing an excellent job at that.

 

Occasionally we hear or read reports about a significant escalation of mental health problems. It’s a complicated issue, and we certainly can’t fix blame in any single corner. But the relentless barrage of negativity surrounding us must be a major contributor to this development. We could easily conclude, “If it wasn’t for bad news, we wouldn’t have any news at all.”

 

Before you quit reading, thinking you don’t need another downer in your day, let me share some good news with you. Some very, very good news.

 

In Psalm 23, one of the best-known passages of the Bible, we read in verse 4 about something called “the valley of the shadow of death.” Sometimes known as “the shepherd’s psalm,” this magnificent and poetic chapter gives us the image of a flock of sheep obediently being led through a dark mountain pass. Sheep aren’t particularly intelligent animals, so their unquestioning trust in the shepherd might have been mixed with a bit by anxiety over what might be lurking in the shadows.

 

Realistically, shadows can’t hurt us. I’m reminded of the story of a father driving down the highway with his young daughter in the backseat. As they drive past a large 18-wheeler, its shadow falls across the car, momentarily casting them into darkness. It frightens the daughter. But as soon as they get beyond the huge truck, the shadow is gone, they’re back into the bright sunlight, and the father tells her, “See, there was nothing to be afraid of.”

 

The 23rd Psalm, of course, serves as a beautiful metaphor for how God watches over those in His flock. It provides a number of assurances: “I shall not be in want” – the Lord will provide for our needs. “He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters” – we will find peace and rest. “He restores my soul” – we can entrust our worries and concerns to Him.

 

In the section specifically concerning “the valley of the shadow of death,” we’re then told, “I will fear no evil, for You are with me.” Like a human shepherd, God is always with us, poised to protect us from whatever dangers we might confront. 

 

When we’re feeling anxious about forces that might be in opposition to us – physically, emotionally, spiritually, or ideologically – we’re assured, “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.” Oil is symbolic of blessings and protective care, something both wooly and human sheep desperately need and desire.

 

Psalm 23 closes with the promise, “Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” This reflects a confidence not only for today, tomorrow and next week, but also for eternity.

 

Interestingly, this psalm says nothing about politics, law enforcement, military might or any other “force” we might turn to for protection and safety. It’s saying that all we need is the Shepherd, whom we’re promised “guides me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.” Sometimes I forget this and start feeling overwhelmed by the non-stop “the sky is falling!” news of the day. 

Thankfully, God through His Spirit reminds me of the admonition from another part of Scripture: “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?... No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us…” (Romans 8:35-37).

This passage then concludes by observing that nothing – death or life, angels or demons, powers, “nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Regardless of what turmoil or chaos may arise, Our Shepherd is with us in the shadows, leading us out of danger and into life everlasting.