Sunday April 25, 2010

First Presbyterian Church
Ripley Tennessee
April 25, 2010
4nd Sunday of Easter
Psalm 23
Acts 9:36-43
Down in the valley


The title to this weeks sermon does not indicate that I will stand here and belt out my rendition of “Down in the Valley”, but it was one of the first songs I learned on the guitar. Neither does the title refer to the Movie of the same name staring Edward Norton released in 2006. I do not refer to “The Big Valley” starring Barbra Stanwick featuring the western matriarch Victoria Barkley and her sons.

No, the title this morning is inspired by the phrase from the 23rd psalm “4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me”.

Each time I hear the phrase, “…the valley of the shadow of death,” my mind immediately focuses on the famous poem "The Charge of the Light Brigade". The Charge of the Light Brigade is an 1854 narrative poem by Alfred, Lord Tennyson about the Charge of the Light Brigade at the Battle of Balaclava during the Crimean War.
Half a league, half a league, Half a league onward, All in the valley of Death Rode the six hundred. 'Forward, the Light Brigade! Charge for the guns' he said: Into the valley of Death Rode the six hundred.
'Forward, the Light Brigade!' Was there a man dismay'd? Not tho' the soldiers knew Some one had blunder'd: Theirs not to make reply, Theirs not to reason why, Theirs but to do and die: Into the valley of Death Rode the six hundred.

4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me”. David refers to the shadow of death to personify death. Death is near and the shadow is evidence of its proximity. Uncertainty, finality and eternity are close at hand. David indicates that the valley is an unsettling place. It is also a place we all must walk and spend time.

The soldiers in the poem are faced with certain death. Yet they performed bravely. The valley of death did not deter their call to duty. What was going through these men’s minds as they faced annihilation?

I have a deep interest in the Civil War. I have toured the Battle field at Gettysburg. I have stood at the place where brave men took part in Pickets Charge. How can a person face that? Even now, brave women and men face these same uncertainties, fears and the shadow of death every day on foreign soil in the name of democracy.

The valley of the shadow of death is a striking image. However, there is so much more than just that one image. The Psalm is mainly soothing and comforting images of God protecting and comforting David. Let’s look further.

Within our two readings this morning we see death confronted. What I want to visit with you about this morning are the contrasting perspectives and the rest of the image David portrays in the valley.

Notice in the 23rd Psalm, David’s portrayal is first person. The Lord is MY shepherd; I shall not want; He makes ME lie down; he leads ME beside still waters: Though I walk…Thy rod and thy staff comfort ME. You prepare a table before ME; MY enemies; MY head; MY cup;

A beautiful relationship is revealed between God and David in the Valley. This is a personal relationship. David and God are interacting and David is being comforted by God in profound ways.

In contrast, the reading from Acts gives us a different perspective on the Valley. In this passage we are given witness to the valley from the perspective of the mourners; for certainly those who mourn are also traveling in the valley of the shadow.

We are witnesses to the massive hole that the death of a loved one can leave. We see and have all felt the immense weight, the sadness and the grief that the valley of the shadow can bring into our lives.

In this passage we see the death of someone who is vibrant, active, and inspirational to others. She has touched so many lives in so many ways. She will be desperately missed and the community is in mourning.

I think of the funeral of a teenager. All too often this time of year, vehicle accidents claim lives of those whose lives had yet to unfold; of those with so much potential and with so much to experience.

Have you ever notice how well attended those funerals and memorials are? We Lost a senior in High School in Covington two weeks ago in a traffic accident. It is a devastating experience. Imagine the difference that could be made if the same young people, whose lives are cut short, could witness the dramatic out poring of love from entire communities, the compassion toward family members and friends and the raw honest emotion that is associated with their loss. Imagine if that degree of love and caring could be experienced by those we loose, before tragedy strikes and before the valley walls rise.

The good news is, it can be and it is! David portrays God as being right beside him. God is a companion, a friend and a mentor to David. In fact the tragic thing about the 23rd Psalm is that it is so commonly associated with funerals. What about every other day of your life. God is there then too! There is no indication in the 23rd Psalm that David dies at the end of it! Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

Traditionally, we have gotten used to the idea of reciting the 23rd Psalm on the occasion of death. However, the 23rd Psalm is a powerful guide for daily living as well as inspiration for not fearing death. Here, it is comforting to those who mourn. But again, look at the personal nature of the Psalm. In the case of the death of Tabitha, how can we apply this personal nature of the 23rd Psalm?

I have declared to you on several occasions that my relationship with God the Father, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit define my relationship with you, you and you and everyone I meet. Now, through the Psalm, David places his relationship with God at the very center of his being, “ALL the days of my life”.

All of David’s thinking rises from that perspective. God is first for David and all other relationships are formed based upon that fact. This applies to relationships that are interrupted temporarily by death.

When we mourn, we undergo physiological changes. Our brains undergo a physical process. Life itself changes for us who remain behind. Sometimes we are as sorry for ourselves as we are for the departed. That is a natural part of the grieving process.

The 23rd Psalm speaks to that sense of mourning we feel as it did, I am sure, to those gathered in the room of Tabitha. Individually we can gain some relief in the Psalm seeing that God is tender and will be kind to us as we recover from loss. The 23 rd Psalm refreshes our perspective and reminds us that God is at the center and God is in control.

But the greater sense is that God will be kind, gracious and even heroic on behalf of our loved one. Those who mourn Tabitha’s loss can be comforted that she is in good hands in the Presence of Almighty God who will treat her just as the Psalm describes. For me, that is of great comfort.

But most comforting of all from this morning’s passage is what we read at the very last. In Acts verses 40 and 41 we read…”Turning toward the dead woman, he said, "Tabitha, get up." She opened her eyes, and seeing Peter she sat up. 41He took her by the hand and helped her to her feet. Then he called the believers and the widows and presented her to them alive.”

The 23rd Psalm is a way of looking at facing the valley and the comfort we receive from God when we face the valley of the shadow of death and as we mourn for others in the Valley of the shadow of death. In either position we receive comfort in the words and from God the Father.

But demonstrated here in Acts is the fact that through Jesus Christ and the resurrection of His body, we too will be resurrected just as Tabitha was. We see here in these words of Luke that Death IS NOT the end of the story.

We are comforted by God as we deal with the transition, but the transition is not the end. The transition is simply the means by which we are united with God. In Jesus Christ, we are guaranteed that union on the other side of the valley for eternity. As Tabitha rose again, so certainly will we through the power of the Son of God who is Jesus Christ.

I have been around far too much tragedy and death than a person of my age should. One moment in particular strikes me on this occasion. It happened that my mother was diagnosed with lung cancer. Her health deteriorated as we expected. As her illness took its course, hospice was called in. As the months progressed, my family began to prepare for her inevitable death.

I had the occasion to sit with her on the side of her bed and ask her about what she was experiencing spiritually. What was it like in her valley? We had a nice little visit about her fear, about her joy and about life in general. It is a moment that will be with me for the rest of my life and is comparable with my wedding day, the birth of my son, and the birth of my daughter.

In the midst of all the chaos brought on by the news of her condition and all the trappings of hospice care and providing comfort, here we both sat calmly, on the side of her bed in her own room, talking about HER death. It was as if we were swapping recipes, it was that calm and pragmatic. But I saw an opportunity and I took it. I am oh so glad I took it. I asked her what we were all wondering.

“Mama, are you scared?”



That one question allowed me to see into her relationship with God. In classic MAMA form she reflected for a second and then said, buoyantly with a hint of sarcasm, “Well, I’m not scared or afraid...but maybe a little apprehensive”.

That was followed with howls of laughter a few tears and a big hug. The valley we shared had been conquered!

Thanks be to God for the grace that is ours in Christ Jesus!
AMEN