A Magnolia's Heart Beats

Through the Valleys

The valleys of the shadow of death are deep and sunless places, according to the Amplified Bible. I have walked through the valley of the shadow of death more times than I care to remember. My shadows of death include three chronic illnesses, infertility, miscarriage, divorce, family strife, loss of family members and friends, health scares of my own and family members and friends, a grandmother with Alzheimer's, and more. So much more.

The shadow of death is referred to 18 times in the KJV of the Bible.

The Hebrew word for shadow of death is tsalmaveth, which means:

1) death-shadow, deep shadow, deep darkness, shadow of death
a) death-shadow
b) death-shadow, deep shadow, darkness
c) death-shadow (of distress, extreme danger) (fig)
d) death-shadow (of place of the dead) (fig)

Although the valley of the shadow of death is sometimes long and most often painful, we don't walk through it alone. God is there with His rod and His staff, walking along with us, or perhaps even carrying us.

The Hebrew word for rod is shebet, and means:

1) rod, staff, branch, offshoot, club, sceptre, tribe
a) rod, staff
b) shaft (of spear, dart)
c) club (of shepherd's implement)
d) truncheon, sceptre (mark of authority)
e) clan, tribe

This use of shebet refers to shepherds who are tending their flocks. The shepherds would use the shebet to fight off prey and to gently guide wandering sheep, not strike them for being out of line.

When we are going through the valley of the shadow of death, there certainly is no need to fear.

Our great Shepherd uses His rod as a protective mechanism for us. It's not used for discipline here, but for gentle guidance and leading.

God's staff, or mish`enah, in Hebrew, is defined as:

1) support (of every kind), staff

"The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." ~ Psalm 34:18 (NIV)

God comforts us each of us through each valley of the shadow of death we walk through, leading and supporting us as we go through these times. He is not only our great Shepherd, but also our Comforter.

The Hebrew word for comfort is nacham, which means:

1) to be sorry, console oneself, repent, regret, comfort, be comforted
a) (Niphal)
1) to be sorry, be moved to pity, have compassion
2) to be sorry, rue, suffer grief, repent
3) to comfort oneself, be comforted
4) to comfort oneself, ease oneself
b) (Piel) to comfort, console
c) (Pual) to be comforted, be consoled
d) (Hithpael)
1) to be sorry, have compassion
2) to rue, repent of
3) to comfort oneself, be comforted
4) to ease oneself

Knowing that God cares for me with the compassion and pity makes me want to praise Him. I rejoice that He not only is with me in the valley, comforting me with His rod and staff, but that He leads me through the valley. We are not intended to stay in the valley of the shadow of death forever!

"I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the LORD." ~ Psalm 40:1-3 (NIV)

Remember that as we walk through the valleys of the shadow of death, others are watching to see how we endure our trials. They are watching to see how we receive comfort and need to know that we are relying on our Great Shepherd, our Comforter, who is there with His rod and His staff, directing our every step.

Heartbeat: He has comforted us in the biggest way of all through His Son Jesus Christ!

Verse for Reflection: "From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another." ~ John 15:16 (NIV)

Heart to Heart: How has God comforted you through a valley of the shadow of death? Thank Him for His love and mercy in guiding you through the valleys.

To view all posts in this series, please visit the links below.

Psalm 23:1

Psalm 23:2

Psalm 23:3

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