Valley of Death

VALLEY OF DEATH

Psalms 23

4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

So live, that when thy summons comes to join

The innumerable caravan, which moves

To that mysterious realm, where each shall take
His chamber in the silent halls of death,
Thou go not, like the quarry-slave at night,
Scourged to his dungeon, but, sustained and soothed
By an unfaltering trust, approach thy grave
Like one who wraps the drapery of his couch
About him, and lies down to pleasant dreams.

Thanatopsis: By William Cullen Bryant

We don’t walk alone. God is always present. He is our stay in dark times. Contentment rises not from within but anchors in Christ. Discontent and worry proceed from unbelief; an uneasy mind is the consequence: let us then, little sheep, simply trust our Shepherd's care, hearken to his voice and lay upon His shoulders your concerns and trust in His ability to carry you away.

The “valley of the shadow of death” looms before every one. Saints of God and members of His Bride Church have overcome the fear, sting and worry of death; even as, in Egypt with Mosses, the shadow of the death angel passes slowly over their valley gives peace. The blood is on the door; it has been applied. The body will cease all movement and functions but the soul within moves into eternal life with Christ Jesus. There will be no dark dispensation of providence, that God’s ellect ever could come under.

Between the part of the flock on earth and that which is gone to heaven, death lurks like a dark valley. Through it all must trod. But it is only the shadow of death: the shadow of a serpent will not sting, nor the shadow of a sword kill. It is a valley, deep indeed, and dark, and miry; but valleys are often fruitful, and so is death itself fruitful of comforts to God's people. It is a walk through it: they shall not be lost in this valley, Jesus will lead them to the crossing of Jordan. Death is a king of terrors, but not to the twice born children of Christ. They shall die out on earth into eternal life in the hereafter. When they come to die, God will rebuke the enemy; he will guide them with his rod, and sustain them with his staff. There is enough in the gospel to comfort the saints when dying, and underneath them are the everlasting arms.

They are anointed with Holy Spirit, and drink of the cup of salvation which is forevermore full. The goodness and mercy of God will follow them all the days of their lives and its passing. They seek their desire, determination and happiness in the service of God here, and they know they shall enjoy his love for ever in heaven. While here, the Lord can make any situation pleasant, by the anointing of his Spirit and the joys of his salvation. But those wish to be satisfied with the blessings of his house, must keep close to the duties of it. Know God, know peace. Amen 11-27-1920 BLL

Invictus
Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the Pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.

Under the bludgeoning of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find, me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll.
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.

William Ernest Henley