As we take refuge in His love, power and truth, God does not always protect us from what will harm us physically, but will protect us from what would harm us spiritually. Then we can shine in the darkness of this world as a burning fire (like this picture) for those seeking Truth.

The valley of the shadow of death is therefore not a threat but an opportunity to fulfill the purpose of our lives: honoring the One who walked this road before us and will walk with us through it again.

So, let us look to Jesus, “who for the joy set before him endured the cross, despising the shame and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Heb. 12:2).

Let us obey the advice of the Word to:

“throw off everything that hinders [our natural worldview]

and the sin that so easily entangles [addiction to comfort, selfishness and security, to name a few]

and run with perseverance the race marked out for us [some of which will go through the valley of the shadow of death],

fixing our eyes on Jesus…” (Heb. 12:1,2a)

In doing so,  we will come out on the other side of the valley of the shadow of death, into a pleasant place: “He brought me out into a spacious place, he rescued me because he delighted in me” (Ps. 18:19). Let’s stick with and run with Jesus, knowing He will carry us through.