The Valley of the Shadow of Death

Perhaps it is nowhere clearer than on television that the world does not value godliness. Increasingly we are told that deviant and perverted behaviors are normal ways of life that we should not only tolerate, but actively support. We are told that evil is good and that good is evil. Christians are belittled and portrayed as examples of unthinking sycophants or dangerous radicals.

Fear is instilled at every turn. We are warned of the dangers of illness, economic collapse, terrorism, and violence. We are told that everything, including the weather, is going to get worse.

If we are not vigilant, it is easy for these messages to overwhelm us. They can worm their way into our minds, cause us unrest, and tempt us to worry. Father has not left us without hope. None of these things is unexpected. They are predicted in passages like Mark 13:7–8 (KJV 1900) where Jesus said, “And when ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars, be ye not troubled: for such things must needs be; but the end shall not be yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be earthquakes in divers places, and there shall be famines and troubles: these are the beginnings of sorrows.”

One of the things I love about the Apostle Peter is that he knew that we would face these things and took it upon himself in both of his letters to remind us of the truth found in Jesus. Let’s begin looking at 2 Peter 3 together.

1 This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance:

I love that Peter reminds us right off the bat that we have pure minds. This idea may at first seem contrary to what we commonly hear, but our minds are part of our souls. We know from scripture that our souls and our spirits will remain in the world to come. One place we find this insight is 1 Peter 1:9 (KJV 1900) “Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.” While we will get new bodies, our souls and spirits are heaven ready as they are.

We may doubt our minds from time to time. Because nearly everyone else seems to be singing the same chorus about right, wrong, danger, and fear, we may be tempted to think that we are simply not thinking straight. The truth is that our minds are being renewed and that is transforming us. We read about this in Romans 12:2 (KJV 1900) “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”

The problem is not our minds. The problem is that old fleshly ways of dealing with what life throws at us are constantly being reenforced by the world around us. There is sin in the world and the power of sin is a constant pressure that pulls us toward living by our senses rather than by faith.

Now back in our text, Peter tells us that we need to remember the words of the prophets and the things we have been told by the Apostles of Jesus Christ.

2 That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour: 3 Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, 4 And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.

The prophets foretold the coming of a savior. They predicted that there would be a new way of relating to God. A way based on faith rather than obedience to laws. They prophesied that righteousness would be available and that sins would not be counted against people.

The Apostles spoke about the real-life manifestation of that Savior. They provided the details about the new way of relating to God by faith. They taught that righteousness was not attained by behavior, but instead given as a gift to be received through faith in Jesus the Anointed Son of God.

Nevertheless, not everyone believes that good news of Jesus Christ. Instead, they follow the ages old way of trusting in their own abilities for righteousness or denying that they even need a savior. Many people scoff at the idea of faith. They live by what seems right to them and deny that Jesus is who He says He is and has done what He says He has done. These are acts of their will, as Peter points out next.

5 For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: 6 Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: 7 But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.

Paul said something similar in Romans 1:18–21 (KJV 1900) “18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; 19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. 20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: 21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.” We will leave it here, but this passage continues making this case through verse 32.

A while back I talked about the idea of people talking back to God and acting as though they know more than He and can tell Him He is wrong. These two passages are talking about this sort of attitude. We find in this world a general attitude of obstinate belligerence toward God. More than simply a failure to understand and agree, it is a rejection of Jesus and the gift He has made available.

What then are we to think? Why does Father allow the world to continue? It seems that nothing has changed since the days of Sodom and Gomorrah. Peter supplies the answer.

8 But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

Father has not changed. Despite the continued rebellion of many, He still loves them. Before the world existed, He planned to demonstrate His love through His Son Jesus. We read in John 3:16–17 (KJV 1900) that “God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” And that “God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.” In Romans 5:8 (KJV 1900) we find, “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

Even so, Father does not bully people. He does not override their will. He does not force anyone to accept His gracious gift. None of that is possible for Him because it would be unloving and He is love. ( see 1 John 4:8 & 16)

There will come a day when Jesus returns. In verse ten of our text, Peter provides us some insight into that great day.

10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.

The idea of Jesus coming at any moment used to instill fear in me. I was worried that He would show up right after I had done some terrible thing or thought some terrible thought or had some terrible motive in my heart and that I would be lost. Those fears were completely unfounded. Paul makes that very clear in 1 Thessalonians 5:1–5 (KJV 1900) “1 But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. 2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. 3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. 4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. 5 Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.” Paul reminds us that we are children of the day and that for this reason we will not be caught off guard when Jesus returns.

Picking up our text now at verse 11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,

12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?

13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.

As believers we are aware that Jesus will return, and we await that great day eagerly. It is the day when we will be forever with Him and when sin and death will no longer be a part of our environment. We want it to come as soon as possible.

Given this wonderful truth, we do not need to become engrossed in or worried by the things going on around us in this fallen world. Instead, we can remember what we find in 2 Corinthians 5:18–21 (KJV 1900) “…all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. 20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God. 21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”

We can, like our Father, be concerned that as many as possible be saved. When people ask us the reason for the hope we have, we can tell them about the wonderful gift that Jesus has given them. (see 1 Peter 3:15) This does not consist of us berating people or pushing scripture down their throats. It simply consists of us doing what grace teaches us to do living upright and godly lives as we walk through the valley of the shadow of death. (see Titus 2:11-12) People notice that and opportunities to simply share what Jesus has done for us present themselves. That is what Peter tells us next.

14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.

After encouraging us to live godly lives, Peter reminds us of the reason we should bother. It is notable that he does not say that we should live uprightly so that we do not lose our salvation. Instead, he says this:

15 And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;

16 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.

The patience of God means salvation for more people. In Romans 2:4 (KJV 1900) Paul talked about this idea. He wrote, “Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?”

Let me make a few comments about the mention of Paul and his letters. Peter talks about some of the things Paul wrote being difficult to understand. One need only read Paul’s epistles to know what Peter is talking about. Peter goes on to make a very important point here that I want to be sure we do not overlook. He says of these writings that “they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, (or twist) as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.”

When the Gospel or the message of scripture is presented in a way that seems too complex to understand, it is time to reexamine what is being taught. When Philip presented the Gospel to the Ethiopian eunuch, the man was able to grasp the message immediately and asked to be baptized. Acts 8:35–37 (KJV 1900) records it, “35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus. 36 And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? 37 And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.

The Gospel is simple. There is simplicity in Jesus. 2 Corinthians 11:3 (KJV 1900)

3But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.” This is the next thing Peter reminds us of. Picking up our text at verse 17.

17 Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.

18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.

Do not allow anyone to overcomplicate things. Go back to scripture and see for yourself what it says. If you become confused, do not allow that to make you waver and become ineffective. That is a tactic of the enemy. This verse is not talking about loss of salvation. It’s just saying that it is easy to focus our attention on the shadow of death that we see all around us and that will take our eyes off Jesus, stifle our growth, and make us weak in the Spirit.

Peter instead encourages us to grow in grace. Growing in grace happens as we increase the depth of our understanding of who Jesus is, what He has done, and who He has made us. The more deeply rooted in our minds the ramifications of the truth of the Gospel becomes, the more we rely upon God’s great grace and walk by faith instead of sight.

He also encourages us to grow in the knowledge of the Lord. This is not knowing more about the Lord but knowing the Lord personally, relationally, and intimately. The more we live with someone, the better we come to know them. We learn to rely upon them and trust them. This is growth in the knowledge of the Lord.

Growth in grace and the knowledge of the Lord brings us to the place where we can have hope, peace, and joy. It brings us to the place where we can say with King David,

1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters.

3 He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

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.

5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: And I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever. Psalm 23:1–6 (KJV 1900)