14 THE CONFIDENCE

THE CONFIDENCE

"Yes, 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!" Psalms 23:4

Three things conspire to give the aged Christian confidence:
the Word of God,
the Spirit of God, and
his past experience of God’s faithfulness and love.

He has traveled with the Lord so long and so far; the Word of God is so plain and so positive, and he has always proved it so true—that he feels there is no ground for fear. Death itself is but the shadow of what it was, since Jesus died; for he has abolished death, and brought life and immortality to light by the gospel. The valley may be long, and dark, and damp for us! But Jesus has passed through it, and driven everything injurious from it. Besides which, he will be WITH us in the valley of the shadow of death. He said to his servant John, "Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of Hell and of death!"Revelation 1:17-18 No one can open the ’door of death’ to a believer—but Jesus! And he always does it at the best moment, and in the best manner, for "precious in the sight of the Lord—is the death of his saints!"

Human nature always shrinks from death—but faith will look to Jesus as the resurrection and the life, and welcome it! And even when faith is not strong enough to welcome it—it will look to the great Shepherd and expect that his rod will drive away all evil beasts—and that his staff will be lent to the soul to lean upon! My aged friend, do not be frightened at a mere shadow! Do not be afraid to go where Jesus has gone before you.

Look out for his foot-prints,
listen to hear his voice,
believe his promises—and you shall find his grace made perfect in your weakness.

Take the promise, look at it, place confidence in it, "I will never leave you, I will never, no never, no never forsake you!" And then stand at the entrance of the valley and sing, "Yes, 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!"

"We are more than conquerors—through him who loved us!" Romans 8:37