I walk through the valley of the shadow of death

So, there have been some ups and downs, or passages through the valley of the SHADOW of death...all the way to the other side, to sunlit land.
I highlighted the shadow since my US pastor who was also in an office of a prophet, he used to highight it when preaching about Psalm 23. He used to tell that we do not camp in the valley, yet God has laid us in there a table. And it is a table of blessings.

Psalm 23 King James Version (KJV)
23 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

4 Yea, 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.

5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

Ephesians 6:13 ► King James Version
Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

Clearly, both - Psalm 23 and Ephesians 6:13 state that in a life of a believer there are not just sunlit days, but also different, darker ones.

We should understand it, for if we don't, then we may be in for a surprise.
Hence God tells us to be prepared also for such days. They may be days of emotional low, whether for an objective or subjective reason. Some lows may be due to a loss - of a job, or a loved one, or another similar event in life which has a potential to deliver us a blow. And it is normal and human to grieve and feel something at these moments.

But it is also possible that some lows may be associated with the environment we are in, e.g. a certain spiritual environment can have such an effect upon our human psyche, and if we do not understand it, we may be sucked into a different kind of a depression.

Matthew 26:36-46 New International Version (NIV)
Gethsemane
36 Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” 37 He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. 38 Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”

39 Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”

40 Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter. 41 “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

42 He went away a second time and prayed, “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.”

43 When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. 44 So he left them and went away once more and prayed the third time, saying the same thing.

45 Then he returned to the disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour has come, and the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners. 46 Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!”

Now, we all remember how the disciples of Jesus could not stay up, but felt weary and fell asleep in a trying hour for Jesus. It was not a natural, but supernatural sleep. And it had to do with their feelings of grief, and forthcoming loss, ushering in a depression. They could not even understand it in full. Jesus foretold them the happenings, and yet Peter denied knowing him three times the same night. Clearly, he did not have a full idea of the significance of the events, even if foretold. - But later he understood it with the others.

Matthew 26:31-35 New International Version (NIV)
Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial
31 Then Jesus told them, “This very night you will all fall away on account of me, for it is written:

“‘I will strike the shepherd,
and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’

32 But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.”

33 Peter replied, “Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will.”

34 “Truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.”

35 But Peter declared, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” And all the other disciples said the same.

Now, sometimes we entertain a thought that e.g. a Book of Job is downright unbiblical. I have heard ministers say it.
While they had in mind while saying so that God has prepared us a way out, and a victory in battles - it does not say there won't be any.
And Job too experienced what we call a "spiritual attack".

Now, the way out of every storm is to have our gaze firmly fixed on Jesus. For it is too easy to concentrate on the wind and the waves. And Peter could not walk on water when doing so. The water is in our case the water of the supernatural - the impossible in the natural. But with God we can!

There will be different kind of days. And if you have never experienced any spiritual attack or opposition or resistance, then maybe you are still a babe in Christ, or you have not been a danger to the powers of the darkness which resist our spiritual progress when we are advancing in the ways and the will of God, in His plan for our life.

Luke 22:31-34 ► New International Version
"Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat.

But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers."

But he replied, "Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death."

Jesus answered, "I tell you, Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know me."

On a good day when we feel strong and invincible and everything is together, it is easy to make such statements, and also praise God.

But it is at the bottom of the valley where our true strength becomes visible.

Psalm 137:2-4 New King James Version (NKJV)
2 We hung our harps
Upon the willows in the midst of it.
3 For there those who carried us away captive asked of us a song,
And those who plundered us requested mirth,
Saying, “Sing us one of the songs of Zion!”

4 How shall we sing the Lord’s song
In a foreign land?

Acts 16:25-26 King James Version (KJV)
25 And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.

26 And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bands were loosed.

Paul and Silas were spiritually strong enough to not succumb to devastating mood in their hour of trial. They praised God in their dark time. And as a result, they could partake of the table of blessings laid for them there. For their ability and willingness to praise God in their dark hour managed to loosen not just them from their chains, but also the ones chained similarly.


When we are younger in Christ, and somewhat less experienced - we often tend to ask for the meaning of trials.
There is a cause and effect, sowing and reaping - this we understand. - Grace we find much harder to grasp.
But the meaning of a dark hour in our life goes often misunderstood.

1 Peter 4:15-16 ► New International Version
If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler.

However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.


Now, we must make it clear here, that religion tries to interpret every kind of suffering in its own terms. Even sickness is seen by such via the lenses of a cause and effect, quite like the friends of Job misunderstood his situation - "he must have surely had some hidden sin in his life!"

But sickness and poverty are never to be seen as "the will of God". For if it were the will of God, then Jesus would not have paid for our healing and it includes also healing to our finances, or prosperity. Also the need for deliverance is never to be seen as anything of God, for God does not bind us and He does not give us lying thoughts which, if accepted, can keep us chained.

Galatians 3:13-14 King James Version (KJV)
13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:

14 That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

And since sickness and poverty are a curse, the blessing of Abraham provides the way for deliverance from such.

Instead, the Bible tells us in Romans 12:2 to renew our mind. And this renewing, or updating, or re-programming happens via the Word of God.
We need to know it first. And then we can apply it. We apply the Word of God by first, finding the bugs - or programming errors in our system of thought. And then we exchange these bugs or programming errors which have to do with lies, or fake news, fake information we have accepted whether erroneously and accidentally, or downright on purpose sometime earlier in our life. Just for we did not see it. And mistook a lie for a truth, and accepted it, the way the Word of God is accepted. And as a result our vision got blinded to the truth in that particular spot. We all have plenty of such areas to take care of. And this is what happens after we have accepted our salvation, and been saved. As salvation has to do with our Saviour, not ourselves.

The rest, what Bible calls similarly as "salvation" or salvation of our soul - it has to do with transforming our mind, and getting our damaged and hurt emotions healed, and under control. For if we do not do it, and it all happens as a co-operation of us and the Spirit of God within us, then it can provide the enemy of our soul a foothold at a certain time in our life. While today it may not seem like a big deal, if to leave it without attention, it can be used against us, and for our downfall.

2 Corinthians 10:3-5 New King James Version (NKJV)
3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.

Now, the Lord has promised to uphold us. And He shall.




Romans 14:4 Who are you that judge another man's servant? to his own master he stands or falls. Yes, he shall be held up: for God is able to make him stand.

But we were talking about the trials, and dark scenarios in our Christian life. And there are both, sunlit days, and dark ones. While God has given us a victory to emerge from such dark scenarios, a victory comes via a battle. The Israelites had the guaranteed promise of a Promised Land, yet they had to go take it. And when we have learned to speak the way God does, it becomes easier and easier to win the promised victories.

1 Peter 4:12-19 King James Version (KJV)
12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:

13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.

14 If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.

15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters.

16 Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.

17 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?

18 And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?

19 Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.

So, we can see that there are some which are called Christ's sufferings, and we can partake of these. And it has to do with reproaches for the name of Christ. Or in amplified sense it speaks about slandering, and lying reports, and people misunderstanding us and releasing these false ideas into circulation, sometimes being genuinely wrong, sometimes with malicious intent.

But naturally it means that we should not deserve such, like Christ did not. For otherwise it would not be "Christ's suffering" if we have done something to deserve a reproach, or a bad report even. Then it has to do with our sowing and reaping. And while the Master, the Lord, forgives, our fellow humans, the ones in the same Christian ranks, they have a better memory.

Remember how even Saul could not go immediately to the church, although he was way past his conversion which happened on the road to Damascus.

Now, thank God for Christians like Ananias who had a fellowship with the Spirit of God and who trusted the seen and the heard in his spirit.

Acts 9:17-19 ► New International Version
Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, "Brother Saul, the Lord--Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here--has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit."

Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul's eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized,

and after taking some food, he regained his strength. Saul spent several days with the disciples in Damascus.

And thank God for the disciples in Damascus who trusted the good report over the evil one, although the latter was true in the past - but things had changed!

But the ones in Jerusalem still had their believing difficulties...

Acts 9:26-28 ► New International Version
When he came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple.

But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus.

So Saul stayed with them and moved about freely in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord.

So, Paul, or at the time Saul - he had to prove the opposite. Since, trust, when broken, needs a proof of a change. And if you have committed some serious wrongdoing as a Christian, then the believers may find it hard to trust. Trust has to be developed. And it takes time. And some may not trust you ever again. But this is already their problem, for if you have understood and changed your way, then God remembers no more. And if they refuse to go along, and believe a good report over the former bad one, there is nothing you can do about it.

And then there are cases like the above. Like the account of Job. Which did not happen for Job was bad or unrighteous or committed some wrongs. It was a spiritual onslaught against him.

And even if it happened before Christ, in our days it counts as partaking of "Christ's suffering" as Job was innocent.

Now, yes, the people were under the law and not redeemed at the time, yet adherence to the law mattered! And Job was doing his best. God saw him as a righteous man.

Job 1:8 ► New International Version
Then the LORD said to Satan, "Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil."

And if God said so, then He meant it. And then it was a true fact. Job was a righteous man.

Now, how could any evil befall to a righteous one. That baffled the minds of the friends of Job. And that sometimes can similarly baffle the mind of the believers who cannot believe that a misfortune can happen if they have tried to do their best and their utmost.

But it is also a test, from the God-side.
And from the side of the enemy, it is a spiritual attack.

In the New Testament a spiritual attack would mean mostly an attack against our integrity while we are the people of integrity.
It would mean slandering and malicious gossip, and a warfare of tongues raised against us.

Again, God has given us provision against such.

Isaiah 54:17 New King James Version (NKJV)
17 No weapon formed against you shall prosper,
And every tongue which rises against you in judgment
You shall condemn.
This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord,
And their righteousness is from Me,”
Says the Lord.


Ephesians 6:10-18 King James Version (KJV)
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;

15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.



What protects us, besides the blood and the name of the Lord Jesus, against the spiritual attacks?
When it has to do with partaking of the sufferings of Christ - the gossip, the rumours, the slander, fake news released into circulation which attack and harm our reputation, we can do nothing much. Then we stand, and let God take care of it. More than often by opening the eyes of the ones who persecute us, just for they do not see, the way Saul did not see....until God took care of it. And then he saw. After he saw, he changed, and did different.

This is called the turning, or repentance which has to do with a change of our ways and thinking, to begin with. God lets us see the truth which will replace the lie we have accepted, and which has hardened our heart, and robbed our sight, and true vision. We still see, but in a distorted way. To the unbeliever, Christ provides such vision.

To the believer, He does the same.
Only the believer has the Spirit of God within, illuminating, and convicting, and providing light. And the Word.
And if they still refuse to believe, or choose to believe a good report over the bad one, just for it comes via some trustworthy source, e.g. - then there is nothing much we can do. Since God only can give sight. We can then only wait and trust Him to provide it to the blinded one. For a Christian is no longer blind, similar to unbelievers. A Christian can be blinded, though. As a Christian can similarly stick to some pet idea, or will of his/her own, which makes him/her pursue something, and see something the way s/he chooses to see. For a Christian it is a choice. And quite often it is also behind the old patterns of thought, and unhealed emotion which the enemy can easily manipulate at his will. Whether against the believer himself/herself, or...another human, whether saved, or unsaved.

The heart of God beats for souls, always.

If we choose to deny it, or accept a different gospel for any reason of our own, if we choose to dismiss the good we know about a person, and believe the lie, or fake information which is only so easy to do in our information era with social media providing plenty of opportunity for such, it has to do with our choice. But twisted or lying info, it always comes at a price. Remember the first couple. They didn't die. And yet, something in them did. We as believers, will not die over trusting something wrong over right. But it comes with a potential to release death.
Usually, in a way it happened to the first lady, and the first man who chose to follow her example, and trust a lie above the truth by accepting and believing it. As a result, fall happened. Yes, Jesus has provided for us a reversal of it. Yet, our vision can be still similarly affected.

Genesis 3:1-5 New International Version (NIV)

1 Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?”

2 The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, 3 but God did say, ‘You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.’”

4 “You will not certainly die,” the serpent said to the woman. 5 “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

Yes, it opened their eyes.
But it opened their eyes to a different, distorted reality.
And the enemy operates today the same.

But if we stay close to God, it protects us.
If we prefer His ways above our natural and previously known ones, it protects us.
If we yield, and walk according to the spirit - which is always a love walk, since God who is Spirit, is also Love incarnated - it protects us.
If we know His Word, and have it engraved into our heart, or spirit man in our inside, it helps us see what is what, and it protects us.