Summer in ancient Palestine. A woolly bunch of bobbing heads follow the shepherd out of the gate. The morning sun has scarcely crested the horizon, and he is already leading his flock. Like every other day, he guides them through the gate and out into the fields. But unlike most days, the shepherd will not return home tonight. He will not rest on his bed, and the sheep will not sleep in their fenced in pasture. This is the day the shepherd takes the sheep to the high country. Today he leads his flock to the mountains.
He has no other choice. Springtime grazing has left his pasture bare, so he must seek new fields. With no companion other than his sheep and no desire other than their welfare, he leads them to the deep grass of the hillsides. The shepherd and his flock will be gone for weeks, perhaps months. They will stay well into the autumn, until the grass is gone and the chill is unbearable.
Not all shepherds make this journey. The trek is long. The path is dangerous. Poisonous plants can infect the flock. Wild animals can attack the flock. There are narrow trails and dark valleys. Some shepherds choose the security of the baron pastures below.
But the good shepherd doesn't. He knows the path. He has walked this trail many times. Besides he is prepared. Staff in hand and rod attached to his belt. With his staff he will nudge the flock, with his rod he will protect and lead the flock. He will lead them to the mountains.
David understood this annual pilgrimage. Before he led israel, he lead sheep. And could his time as a shepherd be the inspiration behind one of the greatest verses of the Bible? "Yea, 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"(v 4)
For what the shepherd does with the flock, our Shepherd will do with us. He will lead us to the high country. When the pasture is bare down here, God will lead us up there. He will guide us through the gate, out of the flatlands, and up the path of the mountain.
Someday our Shepherd will tak us to the mountain by way of the valley. He will guide us to his house through the valley of the shadow of death.
Growing older. Aging. We laugh about it, and we grown about it. We resist it but we can't stop it. And with the chuckles and wrinkles comes some serious thoughts and questions about what happens when we die. Is death when we go to sleep? Or is death when we finally wake up?
As a minister, I'm often asked to speak at funeral. I no longer have to ask the family what they want me to say; I already know. Oh, I many have to ask a question or two about the deceased and that I do, but I don't ask them what they want me to say. I know.
They want to hear what God says about death. They want to hear how God would answer their questions about the life afterwards. They don't want my opinion; nor do they want the thoughts of a philosopher or the research of a scientist. They want to know what God says. If Jesus were here, at the head of this casket, in the middle of this cemetery, what would he say?
And so under the canopy of sorrow, I give God's words. I share the eulogy Jesus gave himself. The disciples did not know it was his farewell address. No one did, but it was. He knew he had just witnessed his final sunset. he knew death would come with the morning. So he spoke about death. Here is how He began:
Don't let your hearts be troubled.
Trust in God, and trust in me. There are many rooms in my
Father's house; I would not tell you this if it were not true.
I am going there to prepare a place for you. After I go and prepare
a place for you, I will come back and take you
to be with me so that you may be where I am.
(John 14:1-4)
What kind of statement is that ? Trust me with your death. When you face the tomb, don't be troubled - trust me! You get the impression that to God the grave is a no-brainer. He speaks as casually as the mechanic who says to a worried client, " Sure, the engine needs an overhaul, but don't worry. I can do it." For us it's an ordeal. For him, it's no big deal.
We must trust God. We must trust not only that he does what is best but that he knows what is ahead.
- Can you think of a time, whether in the past or currently, that you are have or are walking through the 'valley of the shadow of death' ?
In what ways have you found encouragement? How have you given to the Lord, these troubles, and what has been the result?
I know I haven't posted many responses to the topics lately, I've been busy! I will plan to come back and post either later today or tomorrow (I'm off work tomorrow--Yay!!!)
He has!!!!!! All the issues that had come up are now completely gone. All the doors are wide open and I truly bieleve that He has blessed the entire small group. Honestly, all the issues that had sprung out of nowhere just seemed impossible to clear up. I was so down, I really thought that it was hopeless. How silly of me. 
We all know that NOTHING is impossible with God!!!!! 
Answered prayer is so awesome!!!! 
