Serving in the Shadow of Death
The fourth verse of the twenty third Psalm says:
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.
The image is something like this. A Middle Eastern shepherd is leading his sheep through the wilderness in search of green pastures. Their route must take them through a wadi: a dry river valley, quite narrow, and deep enough that it is in continuous shadow. An ideal place for hungry predators to set an ambush! This is the Valley of the Shadow or Death!
In the Psalm, the sheep know they are safe. The shepherd goes in first, with his club and staff. If there is a hungry lion hiding there it will have to face the shepherd before it can sink it’s teeth into any lamb steaks! The shepherd is effectively saying “Over my dead body” to any hostile creature that might attack his flock.
Jesus once said “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” He came into the world to save sinful people who are wandering from God like lost sheep. He went first into the darkest valley: a death by crucifixion carrying the full weight of responsibility for other people’s sin.
But the darkness ended - the penalty of sin was paid by Jesus’ life sacrifice. He guarantees a safe passage through death into heaven for all who put their trust in Him.
If you are serving in frontline medical services during this time of crisis you are going to be walking in the shadow of death. People will die. There will be difficult decisions to make with limited resources. Your own safety will be at risk. If you are a Christian, what a wonderful thing to know that, mixed in with the inevitable natural fears and anxieties, is a quiet assurance that your sins are forgiven and your eternal future secured by the Good Shepherd!
But you have a bigger role in this because the Good Shepherd is asking you to walk this dark path so that others can continue to live. He is asking you to be like Him, to serve others in a way which reflects, on a natural level, the amazing things He has done for us. You may be God’s man or woman in the situation, whether it is an ambulance round, in the emergency room, the critical care ward, or the staff room. You have free access to send ‘arrow prayers’ to the Throne of Grace and call down divine help in times of need. Where appropriate, there may be opportunity to speak for Him.
But I believe that there is something Christ-like in simply walking through this Dark Valley for the sake of others. Do it for Him, do it trusting Him, and He will be with you to guide the way and He will use you, in ways that perhaps you cannot imagine.
If you are reading this as a medical professional who is not yet a Christian, we are so grateful for your hard work in seeking to save lives. Thank you! We want you - and everyone else - to hear about Jesus because He saves lives for eternity, rescuing people from the prospect of Hell to bring them to Heaven. If you are concerned about this too, why don’t you seek out a Christian colleague and ask them to tell you more? Or fill in the ‘contact form’ and we will do what we can to help.
In the Psalm, the sheep know they are safe. The shepherd goes in first, with his club and staff. If there is a hungry lion hiding there it will have to face the shepherd before it can sink it’s teeth into any lamb steaks! The shepherd is effectively saying “Over my dead body” to any hostile creature that might attack his flock.
Jesus once said “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” He came into the world to save sinful people who are wandering from God like lost sheep. He went first into the darkest valley: a death by crucifixion carrying the full weight of responsibility for other people’s sin.
From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land.
But the darkness ended - the penalty of sin was paid by Jesus’ life sacrifice. He guarantees a safe passage through death into heaven for all who put their trust in Him.
If you are serving in frontline medical services during this time of crisis you are going to be walking in the shadow of death. People will die. There will be difficult decisions to make with limited resources. Your own safety will be at risk. If you are a Christian, what a wonderful thing to know that, mixed in with the inevitable natural fears and anxieties, is a quiet assurance that your sins are forgiven and your eternal future secured by the Good Shepherd!
But you have a bigger role in this because the Good Shepherd is asking you to walk this dark path so that others can continue to live. He is asking you to be like Him, to serve others in a way which reflects, on a natural level, the amazing things He has done for us. You may be God’s man or woman in the situation, whether it is an ambulance round, in the emergency room, the critical care ward, or the staff room. You have free access to send ‘arrow prayers’ to the Throne of Grace and call down divine help in times of need. Where appropriate, there may be opportunity to speak for Him.
But I believe that there is something Christ-like in simply walking through this Dark Valley for the sake of others. Do it for Him, do it trusting Him, and He will be with you to guide the way and He will use you, in ways that perhaps you cannot imagine.
If you are reading this as a medical professional who is not yet a Christian, we are so grateful for your hard work in seeking to save lives. Thank you! We want you - and everyone else - to hear about Jesus because He saves lives for eternity, rescuing people from the prospect of Hell to bring them to Heaven. If you are concerned about this too, why don’t you seek out a Christian colleague and ask them to tell you more? Or fill in the ‘contact form’ and we will do what we can to help.
Comments
Post a Comment