3-13-2014

Good Morning All,

                 Psalm 23:4; “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.”

      Any type of action movie, whether it is a western, or a war movie, or a science fiction, or a murder mystery seems to have a crucial scene in it where the good guys have to pass through a narrow passage with the enemy on both sides.  They do it because safety awaits at the end of the passage.  I remember a scene from one western.

    It had the cavalry troop riding in the southwest part of the US.  I think they were looking for Geronimo.  As they got about half way through the pass, hundreds of Indians lined the top wall of the pass on both side.  The walls of the canyon were too steep so the soldiers kept riding through the pass while the Indians looked down from above.  Of course there is always the one new recruit who is petrified with fear.  There seems to always be an old grizzled sergeant (usually Irish or Scottish) who keeps telling the young recruit to be “steady, laddie” as they ride through the valley.

    In many ways, this is how our life is.  We travel through that valley with the enemies all around us waiting to attack.  A major part of that attack is the wait.  The wait puts fear in our heart and that is part of the devil’s scheme is to put fear in our heart.  Fear and trepidation are a normal response to death.  No one wants to die.  Even Jesus didn’t want to die, three times he asked the Father to “remove this cup (suffering and death).” He died willingly but not necessarily wantingly.

    Yet he did die.  He did pass through that valley of the shadow of death and he came out victorious.  He came through the valley with the victor’s crown.  He came through with the victor’s crown and he gives it to you.  We have the victor’s crown waiting for us at the end of the valley.  The place where there is complete safety and peace.  Heaven waits for us at the end of the valley; but we will go through the valley.

    Yet we don’t go alone and we don’t go where there is no path.  Jesus goes with us as he has already gone before us.  We are never alone; we never face this battle by our self.  Jesus goes with us every step of the way.  His love and his promise of salvation will lead the path as we go.  We do not have to fear the enemies that surround us; they cannot destroy us.  They cannot contain us.  They will not defeat us.  The victory is ours and Christ has guaranteed it with his blood bought redemption.  We are his and we have his victory.  He is our comfort, our hope and our shield.

Gracious heavenly Father, as we go through the valley of the shadow of death we have nothing to fear.  For us death is but a gateway to your heavenly throne.  Give us the strength to trust in your grace and to be comforted when that time comes.  Give comfort to those around us who fear death and do not know what is at the end of the valley.  Keep us in your arms.  In Jesus’ precious name we pray, amen

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret