Valley of the Shadow of Death- Part 2

I thank and praise God that we have been able to experience the presence of God since we started this morning. We were hearing blessed songs. And I especially want to thank brother Romesh for that very heart inspiring song that we heard. Final message. The last few times I’ve spoken, we have been studying from Psalm 23:4. And today I want to give it a finality. Psalm 23:4. Let’s read Psalm 23:4. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for thou art with me. The God that who is with me. Let me tell you a story from centuries before in the uh that is historical. the coasts of Spain where the waters of the Atlantic Ocean washed up to. And if you look out into the ocean where the eye cannot see, it stretches that far. And the sailors and the navigators of that time thought there was no land beyond that ocean. Spanish plus ultra. And so the Spanish king wrote a specific insignia on a sign there that is the port city along the Atlantic Ocean. It means beyond this there is nothing. So while the rest of the world was believing there was nothing beyond that ocean a man came challenging that idea. And so the great traveler and explorer Christopher Columbus started off on an expedition in his ship from Spain. Atlantic. So he started from Spain where the world was saying there’s nothing beyond the ocean of Spain. He started on his journey from Spain in 1492 4,730 miles. And so in 1492 after traveling over 4,000 miles, he traveled the ocean and reached to a new land. And the land he reached was America. And when he returned back to Spain, Spanish language plus. And so when Columbus came back to Spain and told the king of his findings, the king, the king made an edit to his board that was on the port that originally said, “By this there’s nothing.” He now rewrote it. Beyond this, there are several things. Hallelujah. Many people think that when they’re walking through the shadow of death, beyond this there is nothing. Joseph. And so I’m thinking of this poet named Joseph who wrote this very heart inspiring poetry. And so the poetry says, “Even though the stars in the sky and the galaxies are established and moving forward, oh my soul, you are established.” And so the truth is there is much beyond this valley of the shadow of death. And so to understand that truth are the eyes of our inner understanding must be enlightened. Job 19 verse 26. Listen to the man Job who understood and whose eyes of his understanding were enlightened in Job 19:26. After my skin is destroyed, this I know that in my flesh I will see God. Dear children of God, there is something beyond this barrier of death. And so this is what David who has lived a full life in his end of days, he’s talking about And so he’s writing these words after living a life of experiencing the overflowing goodness of God in his life. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me. The the valley of the shadow of death is not the end of life of a man of God or a woman of God. But there is a city beyond all the galaxies of the universe. That God who is the builder of that city, the city of Zion. That is the undying hope of every believer. And in Hebrews we read about that in Hebrews it says we have this hope as an anchor of the soul that is sure and steadfast and David is saying even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death. What explanation can we understand from the valley of death? We understand valley as a deep place between two mountains and in these valleys there are many potentials for accidents. Let me tell you about some of these dangers in the valley today. We are because there are mountains on either side. The rays of the sun cannot reach into the valley. And because of the shadow cast by the mountains, that valley becomes an area of darkness. In the darkness we are helpless. So we have many limitations. But also because there is no sunlight in the valley. It’s a very uh quiet and calm atmosphere. The first exper the first danger is the darkness. But because of the shade provided by these mountains and the darkness, this valley is also a place where wild animals reside. But also other dangers in this valley because it is between two mountains. Thunderstorms and floods and rocks that come down from the mountains in a landslide can be fall into this valley. If the valleys are such a dangerous place, why does the shepherd take his flock through the valley? comfort zone because in the valley there is some comfort for the for the sheep. There are still waters and waters that flow calmly in the valley. And these young sheep can go up to 10 days without food. But they cannot live even without two days of water. These sheep need two to three gallons of water per day. And so the valley is a great place for this sheep because there’s plenty of resources of water there. And so the valley also has thick grass for the sheep to feed on. And because they have the shadow from the mountains, that area in the valley is very cool. In the in the Bible it we read many significant and spiritually significant valleys, the valley of the dry bones. There we see the skeletons of those who have been spiritually defeated or lost on the battleground. And we read in Psalm 84, but the valley of tears, the valley of Becca, it is the Baka means the valley of tears. And we see the spiritual significance of those who have been shot down in life and are broken down. And in this valley you hear the cries of those who are broken in their spirit. And there’s many tears and cries in this [Music] valley. But more the most dangerous valley mentioned in the Bible is the valley of the shadow of death. The valley of the shadow of death or the dark valley. And we can ex understand the explanation of a shadow very quickly. Any any person that blocks the rays of the sun, beyond them there will form a shadow. And these shadows give us a spiritual message. And behind every shadow there is a strong rays of the sun. There’s someone something that every person going through the valley of the shadow of death must understand. In this valley, there’s every reason to be afraid. Many times in this darkness of the valley, we think, “Oh, I’m all alone. But let me tell you, in the darkness, in the shadows of the valley, understand beyond that darkness, there is the son of righteousness that shines brightly. And understanding this truth is why David said, “Behold, you are with me.” And there are wild animals on either side of this valley ready to pounce on their prey. [Applause] But understand that when they trust in the shepherd and follow in his path, none of these wild animals can touch any of this flock. And so the fear is the only thing that comes into this sheep as they’re walking through the valley. They can be afraid of the wild animals all around anytime. The weather can change in the valley in our spiritual walk. Many times fear comes in. And let me tell you something. Whatever fear it is, only through prayer and meditation through the word of God can we overcome it. When a wild animal sees a sheep or a flock that is afraid, then he knows that he can overtake it. And when when the enemy is looking at you and looking to make you afraid and you are afraid, understand that’s where the enemy is starting to focus on is on your fear. And let me tell you to anyone who’s sitting in fear this morning and listening to this word, the answer for you is prayer. To be victorious in the valley of the shadow of death, you have to chase fear out of your life. Let us ask ourselves this morning, what fear is gripping me today? Is it fear of the future? Is it a situation where I’m bothered by all my troubles around me? And let us confess in our heart that the Jesus of Nazareth who has power in heaven and on earth is the good shepherd that is with us. [Music] English courage boldness. In the English language, the opposite of the word fear is courage. fear means. But when we read the Bible, the the opposite word of fear is faith. What is the foundation of that faith? And so as Paul says to second Timothy chapter 1 verse 12, I know who I have believed. I am persuaded that he is able to keep what I have committed to him until that day. Why does the God of heaven allow his people to pass through the valley of the shadow of death? There are many reasons but let me tell you one or two. There are believers who think that I can stand on my own two feet. And it is good to have that confidence but you cannot have the confidence. You need the grace of God to stand. And it is the valley of the shadow of death that teaches you that. And a man of God, a woman of God truly understands to the ability, the grace of God in the valley of the shadow of death. There are many thoughts that can come into our head to tell us to trust in the world. But we will see those thoughts be destroyed over time. But we truly understand there’s only one horn that is exalted, one thought that can be exalted and that we will learn through the valley of the shadow of death. We say see the great prophet Elijah bringing fire down on the mount of Carmel. We see Elisha falling down at the feet of Elijah before Elijah is taken up into heaven. I need the double portion of your spirit on me. Let me remind you this morning. This message is for you. Whoever is praying that I need a double portion of the anointing in my life. Dear God, I need an expansion, a growth of the anointing you have already poured on my life. Let me tell you something. Whoever is here who is worshiping God with the spirit and in prayer and the Holy Spirit is given to us so we could overcome in the day of troubles that we face. Let me tell you, if we overcome those hurdles that is in front of us, when we’re able to overcome through prayer, God will take us to the next level of anointing and prayer in our life. And if you’re able to overcome from the throne of heaven, he looks down more than you can imagine, he can supply for you. Any man who has been refined by the fire of heaven will not fight for the things of this world. And so in one opportunity, we read how a man of God in the Old Testament cried before the feet of the Lord, “Lord, show me your glory. And we see this cry of David much before he became a king. When he’s walking with his rod and his staff, he’s crying out to God. And we read that request in the Psalms. One thing I have requested of the Lord, that I will dwell in his house all the days of my life. And the desire of every humanity on all the four corners of the earth should be that I want to see his glory and dwell in his presence. And so the savior who shed his blood on the cross only has one desire as well. And we read about this dream or this vision that God has for his people in Revelation. And Revelation says, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and he shall be and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them and be their God. These are not simply vain words, but these are words that what Jesus told his disciples on earth. In my father’s house there are many mansions. If it were not so, I would have told you, I go to prepare a place for you. Dear children of God, dear brother, dear sister, if you have been truly called by God, don’t have any doubt. Every valley of the shadow of death in your in your path, God has a purpose for. But understand that when you cross over this valley, there is a blessing on the other side. Understand, he does not guide you through the valley of the shadow of the death to destroy you, but to shower with you with blessings on the other side. He brings the valley into your life not to make you weaker but to make you stronger. What blessing has God prepared beyond the valley of the shadow of death? Psalm 23:5, you prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil. When you cross over this valley of the shadow of death, there is waiting for you a new anointing. Why do I need a new anointing? isn’t just for the people in the ministry that need the new anointing. Understand whether you are in the ministry or not in the ministry, there are certain valleys that we have to go through. There are some fiery trials we have to go through. There are some winds that we have to face. There’s some earthquakes that shake the foundations of our life. And to face all those things, every believer needs a new anointing. And so World War II, which lasted about six years, HMS Royal Band Morris Pink. And there was a man named Morris Pink, a 19-year-old man who played in the British Royal Army uh uh band or the choir that was on the ship. 1941 December 10th [Music] And in 1941 as the ship was traveling through Malai. And so the Japanese ships found this ship to destroy it. torpedo. And so the five torpedoes sent by these Japanese enemy ships destroyed the ship where this young man was on. So within seven minutes, this British ship was sinking to the bottom of the ocean transmitting station and Morris Pink was in the bottom level of the ship. So to say somehow save his life, he went to the top of the ship. and he was hearing the voice of the captain through the speakers on the ship. And so he was announcing, “Please get yourself off the ship as quickly as possible. May God be with you.” Morris Morris life. This man, this boy Morris Pink was not even wearing a life vest because there was no time to even put it on. So, he just jumped into the ocean. And he was just floating in this ocean until another British ship came to rescue him. And so these sharks are circling in the water. And so it is time when the waves are going up in the ocean. And so what as he is in the ocean, what came to his mind was Psalm 23. and he was praying Psalm 23 from his memory while he was in the ocean. He was worshiping in the ocean a god that he could not see with his eyes but through his spiritual eyes of service. There was no order of service in the middle of the ocean and worship. There’s no instruments or praise and worship team in the ocean. There’s no time limit of worship in the ocean. But as he is in the ocean with all these dangers around him, he continues to repeat, “The Lord is my shepherd. I shall not want. And so as he’s worshiping there, the king of heaven, the one who came down into the fiery furnace of Nebuchadnezzar heard his prayer. And after many many years, this now older man, Morris Pink, said in an interview, “In the depths of the ocean, I was by myself. Nearby, there was no one else. At that time, Psalm 23 came into my heart. I understood that I am not alone and I have a shepherd and that shepherd is the Lord. I was not in the green pastures but I was in the deep ocean. But he came down and reconciled my soul. I was going through the valley of the shadow of death. But because he was with me, I was not afraid of any evil. [Music] G [Music] the G the [Music] this morning. If there’s anyone here who is going through the valley of the shadow of death, the Holy Spirit is speaking to you. A true person of God does not understand God’s presence just in the green pastures. But even in the dry wilderness, in the extreme heat, there the presence of God is there too. in the presence of God comes into the deepest ocean where you think you’re drowning. And the Holy Spirit is speaking to us that no matter what depth you are drowning in, it is those hands that were pierced on the cross for us that come down and reach down to us today. [Music] Let us praise God that no matter what burdens of life are weighing us down, there is those arms of love, those hands of love that reach down to us. May God bless us with these words.*******************