Walking Through the Valley of the Shadow of Death

OUR DAILY BREAD
Psalm 23
New King James Version (NKJV)
The Lord the Shepherd of His People
A Psalm of David.
1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters.
3 He restores my soul; He leads 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 You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my cup runs 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 forever.

When our first Child was born, my wife Marlene, was in labour for more than 30 hours, creating tremendous stress for both her and the baby. The doctor, a fill-in for her regular physician, was unfamiliar with her and her pregnancy. As a result he waited to long to make the decision to perform an emergency Caesarean section and the resting trauma put our son in the Neo-Natal Intensive Care Unit. There was nothing they could do to help our baby to overcome his trauma-induced condition. By God's grace, Matt recovered but I cannot remember any moment in my life as terrifying as when I stood by his crib in the Intensive Care Unit. Yet I knew the Lord was near as I talked with Him through prayer. In the terrifying moments of life (and all the outer moments as well) nothing can bring comfort to the hurting heart like the reality of God's presence and care. The Psalmist David wrote, “Yea 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). When fear is overwhelming, the Lord is there. He comforting presence will carry us through our deepest trials.
-Bill Crowder-

It Is Well with My Soul
Text: Horatio G. Spafford 
Music: Philip P. Bliss 
Tune: VILLE DU HAVRE, Meter: 11 8.11 9 with Refrain 
http://www.hymnsite.com/lyrics/umh377.sht

1. When peace, like a river, attendeth my way, 

when sorrows like sea billows roll; 

whatever my lot, 

thou hast taught me to say, 

It is well, it is well with my soul. 

Refrain: It is well with my soul, 

it is well, it is well with my soul. 

2. Though Satan should buffet, 

though trials should come, 

let this blest assurance control, 

that Christ has regarded my helpless estate, 

and hath shed his own blood for my soul. 

Refrain: It is well with my soul, 

it is well, it is well with my soul. 

3. My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought! 

My sin, not in part but the whole, 

is nailed to the cross, 

and I bear it no more, praise the Lord, 

praise the Lord, O my soul! 

Refrain: It is well with my soul, 

it is well, it is well with my soul. 

4. And, Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight, the clouds be rolled back as a scroll; the trump shall resound, 

and the Lord shall descend, 

even so, it is well with my soul. 

Refrain: It is well with my soul, 

it is well, it is well with my soul.