Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me. Psalms 23:4
Benson Commentary — “Through a dark and dismal valley, full of terrors and dangers, as this phrase signifies, that is, though I am in peril of death, though in the midst of dangers, deep as a valley, dark as a shadow, and dreadful as death itself: or rather, though I am under the arrests of death, and have received the sentence of death within myself, and have every reason to look upon myself as a dying man: I will not give way to my fears, but will confidently rely upon the word and promise of God, persuaded that his grace shall be sufficient for me, and that he will make even death itself work for my good. Observe, reader, a child of God may meet the messengers of death, and receive its summons, with a holy security and serenity of mind. He may bid it defiance, and say with Paul, O death where is thy sting? For thou are with me — Here is the ground of a true Christian’s confidence when in the valley of the shadow of death, God is with him, and His presence inspires him with confidence and comfort, hope and joy. It affords him light amidst the darkness of the valley, and life in the death of it. Thy rod and thy staff Thy word and thy Spirit; comfort me — His gospel is the rod of his strength, and there is enough in that to comfort the saints, both while they live, even in their greatest troubles, and also when they are dying. And his Spirit is the Comforter himself, and where he is, support and comfort cannot be wanting. His rod of chastisement and correction also ministers to the comfort of his people, and much more his staff of support, his upholding grace, which, under all their trials, and even in their last and greatest trial, is sufficient for them.”
Sometimes we feel like we are at ‘the very end’, and cannot go on any longer. Here David expresses that feeling, but also has found his salvation. You are NOT alone. No matter what the enemy tries to lie to you about – God IS there! God’s love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness are always offered to us. God is the ‘perfect’ parent who unconditionally loves us, guides us, corrects us, because He wants us to go through our life with the least amount of pain and struggle as possible, but in our stubbornness, willfulness, and bad choices we usually can find ourselves in ‘trouble’… again and again. We SO want what WE want rather than what God wants for us. Eventually the smart ones give up …and surrender to God. Some of us literally face death and have no other choice but to turn to Him and His life. We give up our lives and time and accept His life and time fully. If it means an hour, a day, months, or years – we realize that it is His and no longer ours. Then we can throw off our burdens and know they are now His and not ours, as His life is now fueling our steps, however long they may be.
If you are now really fully His then your ‘right’ to do as you please …has ended. You now must listen to His daily instructions for your ‘marching orders’. He directs your path. He gives you what you need for each day. Sometimes you are required to wait and listen to Him before setting out on your day.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
and He will make straight your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6
This is the new life which I have termed Terminally Committed To Christ (TC2). Our lives are done, and it is His life we now live. His way. His time. This is our flag and banner. Like Paul, we consider ourselves His FOREVER (like a bond-slave = a person who has willingly become a slave for life to their Master).
For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. Philippians 1:21
So now …no matter what you are facing, no matter the danger, gloom, sorrow, desperation, and pain – you know that He is there and waiting for you to listen to Him and receive His … love, life, and way.
Those of us who are TC2 have come to realize “a new hope” that is in Him and the place He has prepared for us.
“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.” John 14:1-3
This ISN’T religion. It’s REAL LIFE!