Walking in Worship Through the Valley of the Shadow of Death

Remember that Jesus said you are the light of the world. (Matthew 5:14) Yes, He is also the Light of the world, but not in the same way. Jesus is like the sun, created to govern the day. You are like the moon, created to govern in the darkness with the light that you reflect from the Son. This is a profound and powerful assignment given to all believers who live as “sojourners” (Psalm 119:19) or “strangers” (Hebrews 11:13) on this earth, as spiritual beings having an earthly experience. But it is not an easy task to be given! This world is filled with darkness and we are all drawn into it at times, but praise the Lord that “…the darkness cannot overtake the Light”! (John 1:5)

In fact, the shadows that are in the dark valley are, in and of themselves, the very proof of the light you’ve been looking for! Shadows are the images of what is blocking the light, which means there is light behind them. However, you will need spiritual eyes to see the Light of the World as you walk through the valley of the shadow of death. Worship will develop your perception in the spirit because it ushers you into the dwelling place of the Most High, who lives in “unapproachable light”. (1 Tim. 6:16)

Praise the Lord While You Journey into the Shadows

Jesus Christ is the “author and finisher” of our faith (Hebrews 12:1-2), the only person who lived His life without sin (Hebrews 4:15) and He understands what we are going through – including death. Jesus Christ, our Rock, experienced the pain and grief of death when John the Baptist, His beloved friend and ministry partner and cousin, was beheaded by a wicked king. Matthew wrote that, “As soon as Jesus heard the news, He left in a boat to a remote area to be alone.” (Matt. 14:17, nlt) Jesus needed time to grieve, time to collect Himself and to become strong in His spirit once again so He could continue forward in His ministry and the calling of God on His life.

The enemy would love nothing more than to silence you, to shut your mouth or to put his words into your mouth instead of the “new song” the Lord has promised you. (Psalm 40:1-3). When you worship the Lord from the shadows and you minister to Him, your mind becomes refocused, your spirit becomes stronger, your faith grows and you find that ability to continue forward on the path the Lord has laid out for you. The enemy doesn’t want that! He wants you endlessly defeated and He knows that “in His presence is fullness of joy” (Ps. 16:11) and that “the joy of the Lord is your strength”. (Neh. 8:1)

The enemy would love nothing more than to silence you, to shut your mouth or to put his words into your mouth instead of the “new song” the Lord has promised you.
~Alicia Purdy

David wrote this in Psalm 23, “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.” If anyone had ever experienced the difficulties and pain in the “valley of the shadow of death” it was David! While darkness comes to us all, remember you are the light of the world! David had walked through that valley and had learned this: “I will fear no evil for You are with me.” This wasn’t a statement of faith- this was a statement of EXPERIENCE.

If you are in the valley of the shadow of death in a situation in your life, take heart. You are not alone, and you are not weaponless. Everyone walks through dark valleys, but not everyone knows how to find the light to guide them through. It will be a battle to push past your flesh and your feelings, but when your “heart and your flesh fail”, God will prove Himself to be your strength as you draw closer to Him through praise. His light will reflect from you into the darkness and shadows of your situation.

Thought for today: Through Every Valley is a Path of Praise

You don’t have to fear evil (although you can choose to) because God is with you! Yes, it may be HARD. Yes, it may be a challenge to your faith, your strength, your joy, your peace, but that doesn’t mean you’re alone or that the darkness has overtaken you. Your enemy, the devil will try to make you think the shadows mean darkness, when in reality, the shadows mean light! The “shadow”, the thing which the enemy has tried to get you to fear, is the very proof that God is with you. Yes, you may have to walk through a terrible valley, but you are not alone in the darkness. You don’t have to fear the shadows. The Lord has comfort for you. True darkness is not possible when you have the Lord with you.

Here Are the Next Steps On Your Path of Praise Through the Valley

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