Walking Through the Shadow of Life

Halloween is a time for some scary activities. Haunted houses, haunted mazes, scary movies, or scary pranks. I, for one, do not like many scary things. I don't mind a good jump scare at someone else's expense. That's just hilarious.

If you want to see someone jump, however, I'm your gal. I am the jumpiest person you will ever meet, but I will be laughing just as hard as you are. Catch me off guard and you will get a good scream and a good laugh out of me. When I was in school, the bell to signify the end of a school day would make me jump out of my skin. Same time, 3:15 pm every day and I would know it was coming, but yet, I would still jump.

But it's not really those kinds of things that bring me fear nowadays. Since I've grown up a little, my fears are rooted in uncertainties, in the unknown, in what lies ahead, in things that I can't control, in those days that I feel like I'm walking through the valley of the shadow of death. Whoa, sorry to get all drama mama on you there. But David walked through those kind of valleys and some days I do too. It's more than a scary movie or a haunted trail. It's the path of life that I tread that can turn into the valley of the shadow of deathly fears. I would say, mostly these days I'm letting God lead me beside the still waters, but there are those days that I let the fear creep in and I'm walking down a dark path. Whether it be the failing health of family or friends, finances, my children's future, or my own failures that bring me fear, they are there and they make me hyper aware of the fearful shadows around me.

But what is this shadow of life? Is there such a thing? I would have never thought so before a few Sundays ago. I was in the pew on this particular Sunday morning, singing songs of praise and worship to God when we sang the song, "Near the Cross," when the third verse caught my attention. The last line of that verse in particular.

"Near the cross! O Lamb of God, Bring its scenes before me; Help me walk from day to day, With its shadows o’er me."

This song implies that I can walk from day to day with the shadow of the cross over me. Some may consider that a scary thing, but since the cross and death of Jesus represents life, it allows me to walk through the shadow of life. Ironically, the death of Jesus on the cross represents life for us, so as a Christian we can walk with hope, peace and comfort with the shadow of the cross over us.

But to receive God's gracious gift we have to stay near the cross as the song and God's word directs. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. (James 4:8). Nothing makes me feel safer and more secure than the thought that God is near me. Nothing scares me more than the thought of being far from God, Him not hearing my prayers or spending an eternity away from Him. But Psalm 145:18 says, The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. The LORD is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous. Proverbs 15:29 If we are doing what is right, if we are obeying His gospel, if we are staying near the cross of Jesus God promises that He hears our prayers and He is there with us every step of the way through whatever valley we may be walking in.

Even if we are walking in the valley of the shadow of death we can do so with the cross's shadow over us. And in doing so we will fear no evil, because God's rod and staff, the wooden beams of the cross, the nail scarred hands, they will comfort me, they will comfort you and surely goodness and mercy will follow you all the days of your life and you will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. You can believe that beyond a shadow of a doubt.

Jesus, keep me near the cross 'till I my raptured soul shall find rest beyond the river.