Part 4 (2/2)

When these emblems of G.o.d's guidance lifted and moved, then Israel knew that it was time for them to move.

So long Thy power hath blest me, sure it still Will lead me on O'er moor and fen, o'er crag and torrent, till The night is gone; And with the morn those angel faces smile Which I have loved long since and lost awhile.

--_John H. Newman_

These three things, the Word of G.o.d, the inward impression, and the open door, should be present in every clear indication of the will of G.o.d. If any one of them is missing, it indicates that the will of G.o.d is not yet clear. We have a beautiful ill.u.s.tration of these three things in the call of Peter to admit Cornelius into the Church (Acts 10 and 11).

First, Peter had the _Word of G.o.d_--nothing should be regarded common or unclean; second, he had _the inward impression_--he was meditating on what the vision he had seen should mean; and third, there was _the open door_--three men were already waiting for him to convey him to Caesarea.

Wonderfully instructive is G.o.d's guidance of the children of Israel by the pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night. In this connection we should recall the words of Jesus when in the Temple, at the time they were celebrating G.o.d's care for His people in the wilderness in providing them with the pillar of cloud and the pillar of fire. He said, ”I am the light of the world; he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” Christ is our Guide; the Word of G.o.d is our chart. Having them, we may rest a.s.sured that G.o.d who has guided His people in all the ages will guide us safely to the end.

Guide me, O Thou great Jehovah, Pilgrim through this barren land; I am weak, but Thou art mighty, Hold me with Thy powerful hand; Bread of heaven, feed me till I want no more.

Open now the crystal fountain Whence the healing stream doth flow; Let the fiery, cloudy pillar Lead me all my journey through; Strong Deliverer, be Thou still my Strength and s.h.i.+eld.

When I tread the verge of Jordan, Bid my anxious fears subside, Death of deaths and h.e.l.l's destruction, Land me safe on Canaan's side: Songs of praises I will ever give to Thee.

--_William Williams_

CHAPTER FOUR

[Ill.u.s.tration]

=”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.”=

It was necessary for shepherds in Palestine, when leading their flocks from one pasture to another, to lead them, at times, through dark ravines, on either side of which were caves and holes wherein dwelt ravenous beasts. From the attack of these beasts the shepherd must protect his flock. For this purpose he used the staff which he carried with him. The staff was a great stick with a large k.n.o.b at the end of it pierced through with sharp nails and spikes. This weapon was used to beat off the attacks of the wild beasts. The shepherd must be bold and courageous. We recall how David referred to his encounters with wild beasts which attacked his flock. ”And David said unto Saul, Thy servant kept his father's sheep, and there came a lion, and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock; and I went out after him, and smote him, and delivered it out of his mouth; and when he arose against me, I caught him by his beard, and smote him, and slew him. Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear; and this uncirc.u.mcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he hath defied the armies of the living G.o.d. David said moreover, The Lord that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of the Philistine. And Saul said unto David, Go, and the +LORD+ be with thee”

(I Samuel 17:34-37).

=_The Valley of the Shadow_=

”The valley of the shadow of death” may refer to any dark, dread or awful experience through which the child of G.o.d is called to pa.s.s. In this sense it is used in many places in the Scriptures. The Christian's path is not always beside still waters and in green pastures.

In pastures green? Not always; sometimes He Who knoweth best, in kindness leadeth me In weary ways, where heavy shadows be.

And by still waters? No not always so, Ofttimes the heavy tempests round me blow, And o'er my soul the waves and billows go.

But when the storm beats loudest, and I cry Aloud for help, the Master standeth by, And whispers to my soul, ”Lo, it is I!”

Above the tempest wild I hear Him say, ”Beyond the darkness lies the perfect day, In every path of thine I lead the way.”

--_Henry H. Barry_

But is it not kind of our Father that He puts the valley in the middle of the Psalm--not at the beginning of our Christian journey, lest we should be unduly discouraged, but in the middle--after we have been strengthened with food and drink and have been a.s.sured of the tender care and guidance of the Great Shepherd. Oh! wondrous thought and care!

Of course, ”the valley of the shadow of death” refers also, and probably more particularly, to the experience of death itself. At least we have come to look upon it in such light, and doubtless thousands of G.o.d's people have found the comforting truth of this verse a safe pillow in the dying hour. It has lightened the valley, removed the fear of death, and illumined immortality.

=_The Fear of Death_=

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