". . . in all these things we are more than conquerers through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
Romans 8:37-39, NIV
When we are walking with Christ, we are safe with Him by our side--no matter how dark and ominous the way. Friends and family may even have to say "goodbye" to us for awhile, but if we are in Christ, our eternal destiny is life.
Walking through the valley of the shadow of death is not walking through the valley of death. The shadow is there, but the reality of death is not there. Where there is a shadow, there is a light that makes the shadow. There is no shadow without a light. Christ our Shepherd is the light and is always present with us.
A shadow of death is not death. Shadows cannot hurt anyone. When we walk with Christ by our side, we can walk through the valley, knowing we will emerge on the other side. Shadows cannot stop our journey, for there is always the light of our Shepherd to lead us through.
Then why does our Shepherd lead us through a valley of shadows? . . . Because of what is at the end of the path! Quiet waters and green pastures are there, and beyond that is the fold and safety.
