Untouchable in the Valley (of Death)

My mom overheard someone scare their little boy with his shadow. When the kid is not obeying, they would point to his shadow and say, “Look! That thing is going after you if you don’t do as I say.” Troubled and scared, the kid, we suppose, eventually submits.

Of course, I don’t recommend this kind of parenting. I feel for the kid. But God reminded it to me as I was pondering on Psalms 23. Aren’t we all like that kid at times? Scared of a shadow that cannot touch us?

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil.

Psalm 23:4a

When I was 6 or 7 years old, I was in critical condition for Dengue in a hospital. The doctors said I had 50% chance of surviving and 50% chance of dying. I obviously lived through it.

I was an unwelcome pregnancy. My mom was in despair and wanted to leave my dad when she had me. She didn’t think of aborting me but she was not excited about my dramatic entrance into her world either. I had hindered her plans of breaking free from (at that time) a miserable relationship. I imagined my 9 months in her tummy were not exactly fun.

Years ago I had lung infection without me being aware of it. Guess what? God healed me of the sickness even before I knew I had it! When the lung scans came out, what we saw were scar marks from a battle that has already been won! Who gets healed from TB without drinking meds or even praying for healing against it? It was God’s debonaire way of saying, “I got you.”

Could it be that Jesus’ cross was prophesying through my body years ago when I was healed without me asking for healing? And it’s still prophesying now to bodies and souls that are in need of healing:

You HAVE BEEN healed even before you asked for healing! You have been healed even before you knew you’re sick! The shadow of death is basically that–just a shadow. It cannot harm you, because what? Because there is someone walking beside you in that valley!

You are with me, your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

Psalm 23:4b

You are walking with life Himself.

Dengue, my unwanted arrival in this earth, undetected tuberculosis… Depression, oppression, set backs, these close encounters to death cast shadows of gloom and doom. We are led through valleys where intimidating shadows steal our joy and praise.

But death never really touches us when we hold fast to Jesus. (At least not until we’ve fulfilled our life’s purpose. Until then…) It’s all a shadow and remains to be just that because it never could come near Life and Light Himself.

The Lord is My Shepherd, I shall not want. He is leading me somewhere good but that somewhere is already there. It’s been prepared in advance. And he is not sending me a ride that will take me from here to there. He is my escort. He walks beside me in that valley. That’s why death could not come near. Only it’s shadow lurks, hoping I’d take my eyes off my King.

But it’s only a shadow. Really, why should we fear?

Jesus wants to be our Shepherd. What shadows are lurking around you right now? Turn to Jesus, He wants to take away all our fears.

psalm23 #TheLordIsMyShepherd #Jesus #lovecastsoutfear

Photo by Jaka Škrlep on Unsplash