Lessons From the Secret Place – Intimacy- Lesson 6: No Fear in Christ
Today we will be looking at Psalm 23:4a as we continue our study on intimacy with Christ.
Psalm 23:4a, Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; (ESV)
In Psalm 23:4, David might be talking about the moments before a believer leaves this life and is promoted to Heaven, or he may be talking about the “death grip” of fear that the enemy tries to attach to every believer as we walk through this life.
Looking at Psalm 23:4 from the vantage point of a saint headed to his/her heavenly reward,
Charles Spurgeon describes it well, "Yea, though I walk," as if the believer did not quicken his pace when he came to die, but still calmly walked with God. To walk indicates the steady advance of a soul which knows its road, knows its end, resolves to follow the path, feels quite safe, and is therefore perfectly calm and composed. The dying saint is not in a flurry, he does not run as though he were alarmed, nor stand still as though he would go no further, he is not confounded nor ashamed, and therefore keeps to his old pace. Observe that it is not walking in the valley, but through the valley. We go through the dark tunnel of death and emerge into the light of immortality. We do not die, we do but sleep to wake in glory. Death is not the house but the porch, not the goal but the passage to it.” i
Praise be to God, the death of his children is not the end, it is rather, only the beginning!
We will focus our attention in this lesson on the “death grip” of fear the enemy tries to put on believers. David calls it the valley of the shadow of death.
Shadows
In an actual valley physical shadows are cast by the mountains or other features as they obstruct the sunlight preventing it from reaching the valley floor. The Webster 1828 gives the following as one definition for shadow: an imperfect and faint representation; opposed to substance.
Everything can cast a shadow; however, the shadow is not the actual object. For example, a vicious dog casts a shadow, yet, that shadow cannot bite. Likewise, the shadow of a gun cannot kill. Shadows are just that, shadows, faint representations of the actual object.
The shadows of the enemy are imaginations that he tries to plant in our minds which can cause us to fear. For example, he might try telling me (and he has) that because there is a long line of cancer related deaths in my family, I will die of cancer. I then have two choices: I can stand on the Word which says, Christ paid for my health on the cross and I can now walk in authority over sickness and disease, or I can allow the enemy to torment me with fear.
In contrast, the shadow of God is of great benefit to his children. David, in Psalm 91 talks about abiding under the shadow of the Almighty. Psalm 91:1-2, He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” God is our shadow of safety and refreshing. (ESV)
I want to talk about God’s shadow for a moment. In the natural we know that shadows are caused by objects blocking the sun light and thus an imperfect, faint representation of the object is formed. We also know that shadows look different at different times of the day due to the position of the sun in relationship to the object. However, have you ever stopped to think about the meaning of James 1:17, which says, Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. (CSB)
God’s shadow does not change like natural shadows. Why? The light of Christ is always shining on us. He never turns his back to us; thus, his light is constantly in the same position in relationship to us. God does not change. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. (Hebrews 13:8). When we make God our shelter and refuge, we never have to fear because He remains the same. His shadow will not move off us unless we choose to move out from under it.
Fear
We know from the Word that the enemy’s goal is to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10). One way he attempts to do this is by killing our peace and faith, replacing them with fear. We are told in 1 Peter 5:8, Be sober, be watchful: your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour. (ASV)
The key words in 1 Pete 5:8 are “whom he may devour.” Webster defines may as; to be possible. If it is possible, then the adverse can also be true, it can be impossible. It is our choice. We can choose to live watchful lives, not allowing the enemy to infiltrate our thought lives by casting his shadows, thus preventing him from stealing, killing, and destroying our peace and faith. Or we can walk blindly along unaware of his schemes and open ourselves up to his lies and deceptions.
Fear can be a life controlling entity if we allow it to take up residence in our hearts. God knew this and has filled the Word with admonitions not to fear. Following are just a few verses that remind us to be watchful against fear.
Isaiah 41:10, Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. (ESV)
Psalm 34:4, I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears. (ESV)
Joshua 1:9, Behold I command thee, take courage, and be strong. Fear not and be not dismayed: because the Lord thy God is with thee in all things whatsoever thou shalt go to. (DRA)
John 14:27, Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. (ESV)
In conclusion, we can walk through the valley of the shadow of death because God is with us. We need not fear the enemy’s shadows as we walk in obedience to 1 Peter 5:8, being sober and watchful, remembering that the shadows or imaginations the enemy tries to plant in our minds are harmless as we rest under that shadow of the Almighty!!
Comments
Post a Comment