यशायाह 23:4

"The valley of the shadow of death" does not mean the death-bed — it may include that, but it is more. It is the road that the pilgrims tread as they journey to the house of the Lord: their dwelling-place for ever. That road lies through the world, and the outstanding event in the annals of this world is the murder of the Lord — "the princes of this world … crucified the Lord of glory." It is this, first and foremost, that makes it the valley of the shadow of death to those who love Him.

The hatred of the world followed Him to Golgotha, it could not be satiated except by His blood; and the servant is not greater than his Lord, and He has said to us, "If they have persecuted Me, they will also persecute you;" and "If the world hate you, ye know that it hated Me before it hated you." And so the disciples, those who follow the Lord, tread the valley of the shadow of death.

There are other ways, too, in which the world is known by many to be the valley of the shadow of death, for death is here. They have felt its power, its blight is upon the fairest of this earth's prospects for them, for the grave-yard yonder holds all that is mortal of those once dearly loved and well remembered — of a wife, a husband, a parent or a child. And the heart would be lonely, yes, with an unspeakable loneliness, were it not for His company. Those who tread the road of sorrow are treading the valley of the shadow of death.

But what splendid confidence is here — "I will fear no evil, for Thou art with me." Let the foes be never so strong and the stress never so great, there is consolation, divinely given comfort in His company.

A little fellow returning from school is set upon by bigger boys, who terrify him by their threats, so that he fears to go that way again. But his father says, "I will go with you;" and taking his son's small hand in his strong palm, they set out together. See how the boy squares his shoulders, he seems inches taller as he walks in confidence by his father's side. "There are the boys, your enemies, my child — are you afraid?" asks the father. "Of course not," replies the boy, "for you are with me, father." There is no reason now why he should fear, for his father is greater than those who had threatened him.

The rod may speak of power (compare Ex. 7:10-12; Ex. 17:5, etc.), or, as is generally supposed, of correction, while the staff is for support. But whether His power, His correction, or His support, all are for our "comfort" in difficult circumstances.

I have thought that the rod with its crook would be used by the Shepherd to help the sheep out of a ditch back into the path, or to restrain it from straying into danger. The Shepherd would use the staff to drive off savage beasts… what comforts the one who has to pass through the valley is the Shepherd's power to direct and to protect.

If we through grace have learnt to submit to the "rod of correction," as applied by the hand of a loving Father, we shall surely experience the comfort and power of the "Staff and Rod," held and wielded by His Son, the blessed Shepherd and Bishop of our souls. His eye… now surveys from the height and light of glory… all the sheep and lambs of His flock, as we are winding our way through this narrow and dark "Valley of the Shadow of Death."