What I wish I could have said to Robin Williams



Robin Williams, brilliant comedian, once described as a Niagara Falls of wit, took his own life on August 11th 2014. Here is what I wish I could have said to him:

 Life is hard. There are many moments that turn into hours and days where we are weary and perplexed. There is a definitive and comforting assurance for all weary hearts. David the famous King of Israel nearing the end of his life and in a moment of profound contemplation wrote:

Even 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. (Psalm 23: 4). ESV

David had known fame, when he killed Goliath they sang songs to him! He knew deep anguish committing adultery, choosing immoral conduct that led to a trusted soldiers death. A child born from that union died. He had a son who tried to displace him as King, and a daughter who was raped.

 When He writes of Evil in Psalm 23 he is on a first name basis with it! Evil here is  not just moral evil, it also means distress, injury, misery, calamity, and trouble! 

 He is able to look back through the lens of time and write  of this assurance...

You are with me!  Is there anything that can overtake a believer whose heart and mind and soul is pillowed on that assurance? 

 Who was he referring to? The Lord!

 Countless millions of people have found that true. Just today I graded a paper of a Liberty University student who had been diagnosed with stage four pancreatic cancer, and has been given six months to live!

 Yet strives on in the midst of such distressing news!

*Before the days of modern medicine, pain altering drugs and hospice many believers last moments were written down.  I read of a London’s Ministers wife who found great solace in the 23 psalm as she neared death.

Her name was Mrs. Berry. She described her pending death as “Sleeping in Jesus arms” inspired by Psalms 23 her last words were, Valley, Shadow, Home, Jesus Peace! 

Valley is a word picture for the difficult experiences of life. We all have had, are having or will have ample time spent in the Valleys! Our Lord knew the Valley!

When Jesus went to Jerusalem for Palm Sunday, he had to take a treacherous “Valley” route from Jericho. He experienced the way of blood, the valley of the shadow of death.

Because the Shepherd of our souls passed through the valley we don’t need to worry as we approach it…no matter the particular Valley you are facing!

Are you there now?

I want you to focus on the word “Through” I am so glad that life's Valley's don't endure, they have a season, but do not make up our entire journey!

In his superb book on the 23 Psalm, Nashville *Pastor Robert J. Morgan wrote: “The Valley of the shadow of death comes right in the middle of Psalm 23.  Valleys don’t go on forever! The road ahead is bright for His children, as bright as the promises of God!"

And while the valleys won't last forever, the Lord's love does!

This song by Andrae Crouch singing with CE CE Winans, reminds us that the Lord, is the Lord of the valleys!


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