NIGHTFALL

Recommendation: To get the full essence of today’s sermon, please read aloud.

Companion Song: Let the Church Say Amen, Andrae Crouch

Today’s sermon, “Nightfall”, comes from Psalm 23:4, “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.”

Notice the passage explicitly states, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death;” not that I run, but I walk through the valley; perhaps,there is something very powerful about a walk. Too often, when we are confronted with tremendous challenges, when we are blindsided by unforeseen tragedies, when are rocked to the core by the depths of human depravity, we seek an expeditious reprieve to our greatest suffering. Yet, in the seeking of an expeditious reprieve, we deprive ourselves of the divine opportunity to not only face and conquer our greatest fears, but to glean the glorious gifts born out of our greatest suffering. See, a walk is very simply the act of placing one foot in front of the other. A walk affords the opportunity to fully face the reality of our surroundings; a walk allows one to battle the terrors and demons treacherously lurking in the shadows. While society may glorify swiftness, never forget that it is a significant developmental achievement to walk; it is the first step that we ceremoniously memorialize – our baby’s first step, an athlete’s first step on the field, a model’s first step on the runway, man’s first step on the moon. As you recall, Neil Armstrong didn’t exclaim that’s one great run for man when he landed on the moon; no, he exclaimed, “that’s one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind.” YOUR POWER is found in the first step; your confidence is built through the endless placement of one foot in front of the other. Others, in their darkest hours, may succumb to the instinctual pull to run, but you must remain resolute; remember, it is the tortoise that wins the race, not the hare!

Now, I recognize that it is very easy to take that first step when that first step leads to green pastures, but what do you do when that first step leads you in to the valley of darkness and uncertainty? The scripture is very clear, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil,” we can infer from the declaration, “I will fear no evil” that there is unforeseen darkness and danger lurking in the valley of the shadow of death. See, it is in the valley that we encounter our seemingly insurmountable mountains of affliction: mountains of fear, mountains of grief, mountains of debt, mountains of joblessness, mountains of solitude, mountains of addiction, mountains of sickness, mountains of doubt. It is through these looming peaks that we must pass. Yet, it is not the size of the mountains that evoke our greatest fears but simply our perception of them. Like the journey through the valley, the climb to any summit begins with one single step! Let us not lose sight of the fact though that in this valley, the inevitability of death casts a dark shadow; an ominous black cloud flanking the mountain peaks. It is in this foreboding darkness that one can lose sight of the light. Yet, the scripture is clear, “I will fear no evil.” But what is evil? Is evil not just the absence of goodness; the absence of light? Let me ask you this, what happens when you walk into a dark room? See, at first you may freeze, you may even stumble; but at the appointed time, your eyes adjust to the darkness and your vision becomes clear. It is in this that one understands to never fear the darkness; for even in your darkest hour, when all hope is lost, at the anointed time, your vision will sharpen, and your path will appear!

It is only in one’s battle to hold on to the light that one will truly understand my favorite section of the verse, “I will fear no evil; for thou art with me, thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.” Too often, in the midst of our greatest suffering, fear, grief and misery will blind us to the fact that we were in fact never alone. See, the rod and the staff are tools of the shepherd; and we know by definition, a shepherd herds, tends and guards his sheep! Unbeknownst to us, it was the great guardian – the shepherd, that summitted the mountains of affliction to ascertain what evil lay in wait in the valley; it was the shepherd that invisibly walked by our side – wielding his rod to clear our path and brandishing his staff to protect us from the imminent danger lurking in the shadows. It was he, the shepherd, that held us in the darkness – comforting us in the depths of our deepest despair.

“The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shined.” Isaiah 9:2

Like the Phoenix that rises heroically from the ashes reborn in its full power, the courageous shall be baptized in darkness, reborn fully cloaked in divine light. It is only in the dauntless descent into our own personal darkness; in the descent into our own personal valleys; in the descent of our own personal staircases that our greatest gifts are discovered. The strength and salvation that we seek are found only in our complete surrender to the darkness; for it is only in complete darkness that one can slay and tame the danger and demons lurking in the shadows. And when we find ourselves wallowing in the depths of our deepest despair, we must resist the instinctual pull to hasten our steps; for it is only in measured steps that we victoriously acquire the lessons and wisdom that only the darkness can teach and impart. While you may face terrifying trials and tribulations in the valley; never forget in the depths of your greatest suffering that the shepherd is there with you – standing guard; protecting you, his sheep. Faithfully, seek his protection and comfort; for “faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things unseen.” Hebrews 11:1.

“For as the body without spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.” James 2:26

The first step into the valley of darkness and uncertainty will be the hardest step of your life; your mind will be fraught with fear and despair as you stare into the looming darkness; with eyes open or eyes closed, courageously plant that first foot on the path to your destiny; let your faith be your eternal guiding light. Amen.

Thank you again for joining me on this journey! Nightfall is the second installment of the “Staircase” trilogy series. Please subscribe to receive new blog entry notifications. From my heart to yours. Love, K.

For all weary warriors battling their own demons in the depths of their own darkness, below please find a battle cry. Keep bravely battling; the night is always the darkest before the dawn!

Invictus

William Ernest Henley

Out of the night that covers me,

Black as the pit from pole to pole

I thank whatever gods may be

For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance

I have not winced nor cried aloud.

Under the bludgeonings of chance

My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears

Looms but the Horrors of the shade,

And yet the menace of the years

Finds, and shall find, me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,

How charged with punishments the scroll,

I am the master of my fate:

I am the captain of my soul.