Psalm 23:4 Yes, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for you are with me… I. A PICTURE OF THE WAY OF LIFE DARKENED. When this will be we know not. Bunyan puts it midway, but sometimes it is nearer the beginning than the end. Childhood knows it not; gladsomeness and enjoyment are his of right. But later on life darkens. But come how and when it may, it will come at the right time and in the right way. If it ever work evil, the fault will be ours. Sometimes the shadows are those of sorrow. At others, of doubt. At yet other times it is the result of some sin. The sorrow of wasted power, of lost confidence, of violated vows, is a pang which wrings the human heart with an agony it knows not how to bear. Such experiences are stern and solemn realities. II. NO MAN NEED GO DOWN THE VALLEY ALONE. There is light in the darkened way. "Thou art with me." And He is with us to help and protect. would leave Carthage to go to Rome. His pious mother, fearing the snares of Rome for her wayward boy, begged him not to go. He promised to remain, but in the night stole away. But there, where his mother feared he would be lost, he was saved. Years after he wrote thus, "Thou, O God, knowing my mother's desire, refusedst what she then asked, that Thou mightest give her what she was forever asking." (George Bainton.) Parallel Verses KJV: 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. |
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