For You Are With Me!

By Chaplain (Col) Stephen W. Leonard, USA, Ret.

Every generation on this earth faces danger. You could say today is the most dangerous time to live, but the folk of a hundred generations ago would not agree with you. Each generation believes theirs is the worst. And for them, they are right. But today is worst for you and me. We live in dangerous times beset with all kinds of terrifying snares. 

“The valley of the shadow of death” is a fearful place. We all experience lonely valleys. We all experience times when death may appear, but a moment away, at least by its potential, or more truly, by the providence and the purpose of God. 

Financial collapse, bankruptcy, no food to eat, cancer arising out of nowhere, deadly flu germs, fatal or disabling car accident, unexpected fall, terrorist attack, surprising crazed gunman, something meteoric falling on you from the sky; whatever, even, outlandish thing or event it may be, you live in “the valley of the shadow of death.” 

Psalm 139 tells you, “All the days ordained for me were written in Your book before one of them came to be.” God knows what will happen to your life on earth, whether your life be one day or a hundred years. He purposes how many days there will be. He knows the exact number, because he pre-ordained an exact number. You and I because of our mortality, being “jars of clay,” do not know what the exact number is down to the very day, whether expected, or, more likely, not. 

This is why you live in a “valley of the shadow of death.” Death will come for all. You must traverse that valley to journey to eternal life. 

The valleys of life for each are different, but all have valleys difficult to bear. The question is, will you bear them alone or with someone by your side? Will you face terrible hardship in isolation? Valleys are much, much harder when you have to bear them all by yourself! 

The wonderful truth of Psalm 23 for the believer is the phrase, “for You are with me,” and the encouraging words, “Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.” 

The believer is never alone. No matter what, your Savior is always with you! It is up to you to have the confidence He is, acknowledge His presence, treat Him as the intimate friend He will be to every believer, pour out your heart to Him, and then receive the comfort He alone gives. 

The valleys will come. Count on it! But the Shepherd of your soul will never leave you nor forsake you. Your unbelieving neighbor truly is alone, but you never are. That is a difference worth “all the gold in China.” Such intimate companionship is truly priceless!

Encouragement