DAILY READING
REFLECTION
Shadow Weapon
by Mary Alice McGinnis
Today’s Psalm is one that many return to when they are seeking peace, rest and comfort. This beloved Psalm 23 reminds us that our Good Shepherd is always with us. He leads us to green pastures and beside still waters. What a beautiful picture of His loving care and provision for us!
The result of His patient leading and guiding? “He restores my soul.” Our souls are the very life that God breathed into us when we were created. This restoration at its core is the turning back of all the sucks life out of us – fear. We fear so many things. The fear of lack and the fear of loss.
But then the picture of lush green pastures and sparkling streams of water takes a dramatic shift to the darkness of the deepest, darkest valley. Have you been there?
“Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”
Many translations call this deep, dark valley, the “valley of the shadow of death.”
When my kids were little, we often made trips to see their grandparents and would spend several days, and nights, at their place. They had a ranch style home that sat on a hill, with a full walk out basement. We always slept in the bedrooms in the basement. Have you ever noticed that basements seem to be scary places? Especially for children.
When it was time for the kids to go to bed, we would hear, “I’m scared!!” I would ask them, “What are you afraid of?” They would respond, “Shadows.” I would try to comfort them, telling them we would be right upstairs and would be sleeping in the next room when we went to bed.” This did very little to console them. They would be restless, wake up multiple times during the night and never fully be at rest. Then one night, I got an idea. I had them each choose a “shadow weapon” that they would take to bed with them.
Seems kind of silly, doesn’t it? After all you can't hit a shadow. Shadows aren’t tangible. They don’t have any substance.
I love this quote from Charles Spurgeon:
“Death in its substance has been removed, and only the shadow of it remains…Nobody is afraid of a shadow, for a shadow cannot stop a man’s pathway even for a moment. The shadow of a dog cannot bite; the shadow of a sword cannot kill; the shadow of death cannot destroy us.”
Jesus, our Good Shepherd, is our ultimate “shadow weapon.” Jesus was victorious over our greatest enemy – death itself. Satan and the power of death could not hold Him in the grave! And because Jesus stared down death and conquered it, we can KNOW that any fear – any fear of lack, loss and even death - will NOT be our reality. They have no hold on us. They will have no substance. They are only mere shadows.
Where do you need this word of peace and comfort today? Where is Jesus calling You to rest in knowing that He will lead you, provide for you, and protect you? Where can you find Him leading you THROUGH the darkest valley? Call upon Him as your Good Shepherd today.
PRAYER
Thank You Jesus for being my Good Shepherd. You lead me to green pastures and beside still waters. Even though I cannot see ahead to those places of provision, I know You do! Even when the darkness of evil and death feel overwhelming, Lord, remind me that they are merely shadows. You laid down Your life in my place. I never have to walk through even the darkest of times alone. Help me to rest in You and Your Sovereign Power shown through the cross!
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