THE SECRET TO A LIFE WELL LIVED

Psalm 23:4a
Bob Bonner
August 27, 2006

Mark Lemke is a 51-year-old truck driver from Sheldon, Iowa. The following is his letter, written to Rick Reilly, a writer for Sports Illustrated.

Dear Mr. Reilly or whomever might take the time to read this:

I am not much of a writer, but since about 1996, I have wanted to nominate this kid for FACES IN THE CROWD.

I should have started with all the junior golf tournaments he won at ages six to 10. I should have sent in something when he was written up as a golf prodigy in our paper at age 12. I should have sent in something when he got two holes in one in the summer after eighth grade.

I should have nominated him for being a three-time state qualifier and holding most all individual scoring records at his high school.

I should have sent in many of his wrestling accomplishments...but I’m having trouble remembering everything.

This young man was my very best friend. We were golfing partners for 16 years. You see, this young man was my son.

He was killed in a motorcycle accident.

So what I am doing to honor him is to nominate Cory Lemke for FACES IN THE CROWD.

Cory’s real accomplishments were being the best friend a guy could ask for, the most loving and best son a father could ask for and a truly gentle and loving kid with the greatest smile in these United States.

I don’t know how I will cope without him. I hurt so much, and I miss him so much, just to talk to or watch sports together. God, I loved that boy so much!!

Please accept this nomination!!

Mark Lemke—Cory’s Father.

Today, Cory’s dad is on the road four or five days a week, just him and his rig, and his sorrow. Rick Reilly writes, “Even on the phone, you can tell he’s one of those tough guys who’s not used to fighting off tears. And you can hear that he’s losing.”

How does one survive such a loss? How does one weather the storm of grief that rages in the soul? Is there a quick and easy resolution to the confusion and pain, the feeling of being helpless and feeling so inadequate that so often accompanies various kinds of loses?

Some of the answers to those questions are realized in our study of Psalm 23. This morning, we begin looking at verse 4. In order to appreciate all that the Lord has for us in verse 4, we need to keep in mind how it relates to the first three verses.

In verse 1, we have old David’s veteran-like declaration, “The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want.” Everything following this verse explains why it is, that when all is said and done, this old saint can say from personal experience, “I’ve learned to be content in all things, because I know the Shepherd and the Shepherd knows me and I know He cares about me.”

Then, in verse 2, David reveals what the Shepherd’s goal is, that is to make sure his sheep are healthy, well fed and have had plenty of water, and are protected. In order for that to happen, David tells us in verse 3 that the Lord leads His sheep down the right paths, that will bring food, water, shelter and protection, all things that are necessary for them to live long and healthy lives. Now, as we come to verse 4, David instructs us as to what to expect when you start following the Shepherd down some of these pathways. David writes, “Even 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.”

In Springtime, most shepherds allow their flocks to graze in the lowlands. Then, as Summer comes, the snows in the mountains melt and the shepherd leads his flock up to better grazing land. However, to guide the flock to better pastures, he must lead them through some treacherous and threatening ravines, that are carved so deeply into the mountains, that the steep sides meet at a narrow floor. Even though the sheep are moving during the day, here, in these deep ravines there is very little direct sunlight on the trail. They are forced to walk in the shadows.

If that were not bad enough, hidden in the shadows of these dark pathways are dangers—serpents coiled to strike and wolves ready to pounce. Haddon Robinson describes these ravines as “a home for vultures by day and a haven for wolves and hyenas by night.”

Note that David states “walk” not “run.” Sheep don’t tend to run much anyway, but for certain the terrain of these pathways through these deep ravines doesn’t allow for running. Hence this slow walk of the sheep indicates the steady advancement of a soul which resolves to follow the shepherd up the path. It’s a resolve that feels quite safe, all things considered. Therefore, even though danger lurks around each bend of in these ravines, the sheep are perfectly calm and composed. They are not alone. They are with their shepherd, whom they know cares for them. Furthermore, they know that they will not be forced to live in this valley forever, because as the verse states, “though I walk through the valley” they are simply passing through.

As we read that verse, did you catch the sudden shift in David’s vocabulary? In the first three verses, David speaks to us about God. But now, it’s as though he lifts his head and turns his face upward to God to speak directly to God and we get to listen in. This poem now turns into a personal prayer. David’s implied message in this shift from speaking to us to now speaking to God is that when we are forced to walk through the deep frightening ravines of life, don’t start walking through them without first facing God.

One very key expression in this verse is the description of this valley being the

“valley of the shadow of death.” Really, the better translation of the Hebrew here is the “valley of the deep darkness.”

Throughout the Bible, the concept of darkness is used four different ways. It is helpful to the reader of this psalm to understand which of the four ways this expression is being used.

For instance: Scripture speaks of the “darkness” caused by sin. In John 3:19, we read that “Men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.” Over in 1 John 1:6, we read that people deliberately “walk in darkness” when they know better. All of us know that those who don’t walk with Jesus, who ignore His instructions, they sin and subsequently find themselves in deep trouble, filled with hopelessness and “darkness.”

But this passage is speaks of one who is following after Jesus, not one who is living in rebellion against the Shepherd. Jesus is deliberately leading His sheep through these dark valleys. Hence, here, this cannot be the intended meaning of “darkness.”

A second manner in which the term “darkness” is used is to refer to one’s spiritual “ignorance.” The opposite of “darkness”, “light” points to understanding and truth. In 1 John 1:5, we read of God, that “God is light, and in Him there is no darkness at all.” This particular usage of “darkness” doesn’t fit the context of this passage either.

Thirdly, demonic power is sometimes referred to as “the power of darkness.” In Ephesians 6:12, in writing about spiritual warfare, the Apostle Paul writes, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.” Once again, this understanding of “darkness” doesn’t quite fit the context.

In Isaiah 50:10-11, we find a fourth way the expression of “darkness” is used, and one that I sense best fits our psalm. In this passage, God is contrasting two kinds of people: those who fear the Lord and obey the Lord versus those who want to walk in the their own wisdom. Notice what Isaiah says about those who are believers. We read this: “Who is among you that fears the Lord, that obeys the voice of His servant, that walks in darkness and has no light? Let him trust in the name of the Lord and rely on his God. Behold, all you who kindle a fire, who encircle yourselves with firebrands, walk in the light of your fire and among the brands you have set ablaze. This you will have from My hand: You will lie down in torment.”

In this passage, God is describing a time in the life of the believer, who is walking with the Lord and he is confused. He has no light of understanding. He is in the dark as to what is happening to him. To this one, Isaiah says, “Trust in the Lord...rely on God” as compared to following after what those who don’t know God say you should do. Remember, Proverbs 14:12, “There is a way which seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.” That death is spiritual death, permanent separation from God, eternal “torment” as spoken of in Isaiah 50:11.

Understand, we are seeing people here who love God and are seeking to follow him and suddenly, they find themselves in an inexplicable darkness of loss and uncertainty. These are not people who are dabbling in sin. These are faithful sheep, following their shepherd.

There are faithful followers of Jesus around you right now who are in such a valley, sensing the withdrawn presence of God, a sense of emptiness in their lives, wondering, “Have I been abandoned or left alone.” For them, at this moment, there is no sign of God. They sit in services and take their usual notes. The message is great, but there is no answering chord of response in their heart.

This same sense of darkness and fear came over Abraham, in Genesis 15:12-13, when waited for God to speak to him about the future of his descendants. We read, “Now when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and behold, terror and great darkness fell upon him. God said to Abram, ‘Know for certain that your descendants will be strangers in a land that is not theirs, where they will be enslaved and oppressed four hundred years.’ ”

One of the major points of David in this psalm, is that if you set your heart to seek God and to follow after His lead, this darkness will also, from time to time, come to you. You will not be exempt. You will not escape it. It is an essential factor in the deep and thorough Christian experience.

Think about the laws of nature, and you will realize this is true. “Nothing can live in unbroken sunshine. There must be the cycles of the night and days of clouds and rain. Light and darkness are both essential for plant growth. Non-stop sunshine only creates a desert. What is true in the seasons of nature is also true in the seasons of the spirit. Summer is beautiful, but winter must always come.” [The Thomas Factor, Winkie Pratney, 1989, Chosen Books Publishing]

Understand, this verse is not pointing to one facing their own physical death, but to the emotional darkness one may experience when a loved one dies. Furthermore, this experience of darkness is in that part of the psalm that speaks of the continuum of life. If this statement were at the end of the psalm, where David focuses on his future and eventual home going, then maybe this could refer to one’s facing his own death. Instead, David is speaking to the everyday darkness, the feelings that accompany hardship as we trod this earth. Although there will be many green pastures and meadows in our walk with God, there will also be these times of darkness.

These dark and desolate places are an inevitable and a necessary part of our journey. Other examples of deep darkness would be the day an employer said “clean out your desk”; when a doctor said “your baby will never be normal”; or the day you found the stash in your son’s closet. Those are just a few examples of the dark emotional days that come when we follow the shepherd through deep ravines.

What can you do to get out of this darkness when you find yourself in it? Nothing! Nothing at all. There is nothing you can do to get out of the darkness if it is God who has lead you into it. That’s the point of the solemn warning found in Isaiah 50:11. Do not take matters into your own hands. If God does not bring you into the light immediately, don’t try to make your own light. Wait for Him to lead you there. That is why all your usual remedies fail, all your counselors draw a blank, and all your frustrated attempts come to an eventual exhausted end.

So, why would God lead us into such a situation? Why would God allow us to talk to Him, and He not immediately respond to our questions or give us instruction when we enter into these dark valleys? I see in God’s word at least three purposes that explain why the Good Shepherd would deliberately walk us through such dark times.

The first is to teach us a lesson. Understandably, when adversity strikes, our first concern is not to learn a lesson. Our greatest concern is to get out of the darkness or to get through the misery as quickly as possible. The psalms are full of examples of David finding himself in a frightening position, between a rock and a hard place. Fearfully, he cries out to God, because he wants out! By the end of the psalm, David usually shares a lesson he learned from that experience of being in a “valley of darkness.”

Grant us a quick escape is not the Good Shepherd’s greatest concern. God is constantly leading us into and through valleys or situations that causing us to grow and mature. All of life is not meant to be lived in these valleys, for sure, but they are normal or to be expected. There are the wonderful, warm and peaceful times, resting in green pastures. But not all of life can be lived there.

Sometimes, these hard times are the only way God has to teach us important lessons. Lessons like, “Will you obey Me, whether you feel like it or not? Will you hold on to the truth, when everyone else around you says ‘Let go!’?” Your immediate answer may be, “Sure!” But will you hold on to the truth, will you continue to obey when you have no sense of His presence?

I see another purpose for dark valleys, and that is to test one’s convictions. James 1:2-3 says, “Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.” A few verses later, James writes about a many who is double minded, a man who has failed the test of his faith, his convictions. Oh, he was happy enough to praise God when things went well and he was rich. He could stand up before his brethren and spout his convictions about the faithfulness of his God and that he would never, ever doubt God. But when adversity came, he cursed God and quickly turned away from waiting on God, to trying to make things happen that would bring him pleasure. God says in verse 7, “Let not that man expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.” God is all about producing stability in our lives. One way that is done is through putting what we say we are convinced of to be true, to the test. God uses darkness to test your convictions. When the darkness lifts from your life, what you really believe will be left for all to see.

One final purpose for these dark valleys is to try a calling or commitment to God, family, church, ministry. Maybe at one point in your walk with the Lord, you had a wonderful experience, perhaps in a church service or at a retreat. On that day you said, “Lord, I know You’ve called me to do.... I’m giving you my life. I will do this thing.” Then darkness comes. You vowed, “for better or for worse, in sickness and in health, til death do us part.” But when you made that commitment, you did not know that it meant that you would have to nurse your spouse through the dark days of MS, till they died. You did not know that it meant you would never have children or enjoy the ongoing physical pleasures of marriage.

You make a move as a result of a call to ministry. You are filled with hope, anticipation and expectation. But suddenly, things don’t go well. There are relational conflicts. Financial hardships. People violating deep trusts and breaking loyalties. Part of you wants to quit or find somewhere else where the people are more committed, understanding, mature. Did you really mean what you said to God? “Lord, I will do whatever it is you have called me to do, regardless?”

I’m reminded of the rich man, in Matthew 19, who came to Jesus and asked Him “What must I do to obtain eternal life?” Jesus then encourages him to keep the ten commandments, to which this man replies, “All these things I have kept; what am I still lacking?” Understand, this man is serious. He, in essence, is saying, “Lord, whatever it takes, I’m committed and I will do it.” Then Jesus tests his sense of calling. He says, “If you wish to be complete, go and sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven: and come follow Me.” But when the young man heard this statement, he went away grieved; for he was one who owned much property. The text doesn’t tell us whether or not the man ever proved his desire to follow the Lord; but it does show us that God will try our callings, as to whether or not we are really serious about following Him.

Darkness is used to test our calling and our commitments. When the darkness has finished its work in you, everything that can be shaken will be shaken, and only what is firm, real and of God will remain.

If we can’t do anything to get out of dark valleys, what are we to do while we are in them? I would like to suggest two things, that we can learn from Isaiah 50:10: There we read, “Who is among you that fears the Lord, that obeys the voice of His servant, that walks in darkness and has no light?

What is this righteous person doing? He is continuing to walk. He hasn’t stopped or ceased to fulfill any of his ordinary chores or commitments. Until the Lord shows him otherwise, he keeps on doing His duty. And so should we. We don’t run away. We don’t suddenly stop. Whether we feel like it or not, out of a heart of worship, we obediently keep doing our duty as we walk through this valley of darkness.

The end of verse 10 contains the second suggestion. It reads, “Let him trust in the name of the Lord and rely on his God.” Continue to trust in His “name.”

What does that mean, to “trust in the name of the Lord”? In means several things, all of which have to do with God. First, it means to continue to trust in His promises. For instance: God says in Hebrews 13:5, “I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you.” In the original language, this is a triple negative, used to emphasize God faithfulness to never, no never, not ever for sake you in the deep valley of darkness. Whether or not you see Him or feel His presence, He is there. You have not been abandoned.

Secondly, to “trust in the name of the Lord” means to continue to trust in His principles, that are spelled out in His word. For instance: In Hebrews 12:11, we read that God has purposes behind His discipline or instruction that comes with the difficulties of going through dark valleys. Furthermore, His word tells us that sometimes, the process of learning is not pleasant. For we read, “All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness.” First, note, that these dark valleys are temporary, they are “for the moment.” How long they will last, we don’t know. But they are not forever. In addition, one of God’s principles is that some of life’s lessons can only be learned through sorrow. That’s the bad news. The good news, is that God has an ultimate purpose, to produce worthwhile fruit in your life. He uses these valleys to conform you into the righteous reflection of Christ.

When going through such valleys, I remind myself of this principle in Proverbs 3:5-6: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; lean not on your own understanding, but acknowledge Him in all you ways and He will make your paths straight.” He will eventually lead you out of this valley.

Thirdly, trusting in the name of the Lord means to continue to trust in His person. Should you find yourself in a dark valley, I would encourage you to find someone’s study of the attributes of God. As you study those attributes, ask yourself, “How does knowing that this is true about God’s character, that He is sovereign or good or whatever, how does knowing this help me with my situation? As you examine what the Scriptures reveal of God’s nature in light of your situation, you will find peace rather than fear in your valley.

I remember a visit I had with my old friend and mentor Ray Stedman. Ray was a man whose spiritual keel ran deep. Regardless of the storms that surrounded him or the church he was pastoring, when others seemed afraid, he was unmoved. And that was why I was surprised when in the midst of our conversation, he mentioned a very dark season of his life, where he was depressed. I couldn’t believe that Ray ever got depressed. But he assured me that depression is common in the ministry. I knew depression was common for many in ministry, but for Ray? No way! But he told me, “No, we all have our dark times.”

Curious, I asked him, “What did you do during those times?” And he said, “I had to walk by faith, not feelings. I determined to believe what I knew to be true about God and His word. Whether I felt like it or not, I got up and did what God told me to do.” In other words, he continued to do his duty and trusted in the Lord’s name. What will you do, when you enter your valley of darkness?

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