David on death

June 28, 2021 (Monday)

 

David had a lot to say about death and dying. For instance in Psalm 23, David paints this picture, “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.” [Psalm 23:4 ESV] I grew up with the KJV and have not found peace with the way most modern translation say “darkest valley” instead of “valley of the shadow of death.”

 

I think there is no darker valley than death, either our own or the death of a loved one. David made a sharp observation here when he stated “I will fear no evil.” I hate to say it, but fear is a part of death. It’s part of death because death is part of the Curse. We live in a diseased, dying, and decaying world. Fear and all the emotions that come with death are natural.

 

David’s comfort and hope was found in the presence of God. “For you are with me.” Then David points out the “rod and the staff.” Shepherd carry a “rod” which basically amounts to a smaller stick to get the sheep’s attention and direct. Some have seen the idea of correction in this image. The “staff” on the other hand is a weapon used to fend off predators. David understood God’s direction and correction coupled with God’s protection equaled comfort.

 

Why? I am so glad you asked!!! I think we get comfort when God directs or corrects us because we trust Him. We definitely have to trust God to ward off predators.

 

Today’s reading is even stronger! In Psalm 18:4, David depicts the emotional struggle with have with death, “The ropes of death entangled me; floods of destruction swept over me.” [Psalm 18:4 NLT] Catch the images… entangled… floods swept. Living in Pennsylvania, most of us have had an image or personal knowledge of the destruction of a flood. Anyone ever get tangled or tripped up? That feeling of helplessness as we fall seems to be on David’s mind.

 

David continues this image, “The grave wrapped its ropes around me; death laid a trap in my path.” [Psalm 18:5 NLT] Grief can be like that. We feel chained to something we never get over. In time, the feelings change, but until then it feels like an inescapable trap. Here’s the deal. Whether you are facing your own death or the death of a loved one, you are not alone. You don’t have to be alone facing the harsh reality of our diseased, dying, and decaying world.

 

David light’s our way, “But in my distress I cried out to the Lord; yes, I prayed to my God for help. He heard me from his sanctuary; my cry to him reached his ears.” [Psalm 18:5 NLT] God is never far away, but facing death and its path of destruction, it sure can feel that way. David comforts us with the knowledge that even if God were far off, He still hears us.

 

It’s okay to cry as David noted in Psalm 56:8, “You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book.” [NLT] Imagine that! God tracks your sorrows. Your tears are valuable to Him, He collects them and treasures them. Every sorrow, every tear, is recorded and remembered.  

 

Let that comfort you.