THE FAMILY ALTAR

May 7.

"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." Psalms 23:4.

What unflinching trust and whole-hearted confidence David

here displays in the wise and loving guidance of his Savior even

in the dark days of adversity! Ought we not always to do the

same? It is true, when the Good Shepherd leads us into the

dark valley of grief and sorrow, and the shadows grow darker and

longer, and no golden sunbeam pierces the tearful gloom, then

our hearts cry out in fear: "The Lord hath forsaken me. The

Good Shepherd hath forgotten me." But what weakness of faith

that is ! How can we think so when we have the pledge of our

Savior: "I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee"? He is with

us in the dark valley. He has numbered the very hairs of our

head. How, then, can any evil befall us? And His rod and His

staff, His blessed Word, — it comforts us so lovingly, so mightily

in all our afflictions and bereavements. For in His Word He

gives us this promise: "Fear not, for I have redeemed thee;

I have called thee by thy name; thou art Mine." (Isaiah 43:1)

"Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have

compassion on the son of her womb? Yea, they may forget, yet

will I not forget thee." (Is. 49, 15.) And so it is when we ap-

proach the last dark valley our feet must tread, the valley of death.

How our poor, weak flesh does dread the thought of death and

the grave! But why? When our dying hour comes and father,

and mother, and all the world forsake us, He will be with us who

has conquered death and brought life and immortality to light.

Even death cannot separate us from Him and His saving love.

We have His pledge; and heaven and earth shall pass away, but

not that glorious pledge of His: "My sheep hear My voice, and

I know them, and they follow Me; and I give unto them eternal

life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck

them out of My hand." (John 10, 27:28.)

Though in the paths of death I tread,

With gloomy horrors overspread,

My steadfast heart shall fear no ill,

For Thou, O Lord, art with me still ;

Thy friendly crook shall give me aid,

And guide me through the dreadful shade.