There was a small stream near our farm. We needed to cross this stream every time we visit our farm. We would often refer that very small stream as ‘stream of death’. Now I will tell you why he called that.
The stream was small but can be ferocious at times during the rainy season. The mouth of the stream was small but it was very deep and muddy. The walls are slippery. We often witnessed a cattle dying inside the stream as they cannot climb their way back.
It was difficult to build a good bridge over that stream. The intensity of the water current was underestimated every time. We were warned to take utmost care while crossing it. Taking this clue, it was called as stream of death. But the purpose of calling that was more of an example for life.
In our journey, we often need to cross that kind of streams that seems to just wither away in the bush. All the problems are not necessary as wide as a big river. However, they poised same level of threat as that can be seen. To get drowned, the water need not be big but more important is skill of swimming or the first reaction to that. A swimmer also gets drowned, someone told.
A valley is much wider than a small stream discussed here. But the same God, who keeps King David safe from the valley of the shadow of death, is and was, applicable in every scenario. He wrote,
Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil;
For You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.*
Whenever we go to our farm and crossed that small stream, it reminded me of the safety and comfort we have in the Lord. In that way, we come across many streams, rivers, and valleys of death. However, if God is on our side, we will cross all of them.
A problem, big or small, stole happiness from our lives. The safety and comfort provided by God is the same. How much we get and enjoys depends on our relationship with God.
*Psalms 23:4 (NKJV)
