Arthur W. Pink (1886-1952)
...After a certain portion of the food spread before me had been placed on my own plate and in my mouth, the next thing is to chew it—to chew it slowly and thoroughly. But in this matter most of us are serious offenders. We bolt our food. We swallow it before it has been properly masticated… This is equally true spiritually. Thousands of God’s children are grievous offenders here. They have never learned to use their spiritual teeth. The Bread of Life must be chewed if we are to derive from it the sustenance we so much need. What do I mean? This: meditation stands to reading as mastication does to eating... you will derive far more benefit from a single verse of Scripture read slowly and prayerfully and duly meditated upon than you will from ten chapters read through hurriedly!
Did you ever notice that the “blessed man” of Psalm 1 “meditated” in God’s Law day and night? Meditation is a wonderful aid to fixing in our minds verses and passages of Scripture. Let us give an illustration of what we mean by meditation. We select one of the most familiar verses in all the Bible (Psa 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.” Now, as I begin to meditate upon this I take each word or expression separately and then ask them questions.
The first thing that strikes my attention is the way in which the verse opens. It does not say, “When I shall walk through the valley,” but, “Yea, though I walk.” I ponder this over. I ask it a question: I say, why this indefinite language? Is it not certain that one day I shall be called on to walk through the valley of shadows? And then I remember that blessed word in 1 Corinthians 15:51, “We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed.” Then I see why the Holy Spirit caused this [verse] to open thus.
Next, I turn to the central thing in this verse: “the valley of the shadow of death” through which the believer, who does die, passes. I ask, “Why is dying likened to walking through a ‘valley’? What are the thoughts suggested by this figure?” As I turn this question over in my mind, it soon occurs to me (as it should to anyone who gives it a little thought). Why, a “valley” suggests peacefulness, fertility, beauty, and particularly, easy travel. A “valley” is the antithesis of a “mountain,” which is difficult and dangerous to climb. In contradistinction then, from climbing a mountain which is arduous and hazardous, death is likened to walking through a valley which is delightful and safe!
Then I go back to the beginning of the verse and note thoughtfully each single word. As the believer comes to the end of his earthly pilgrimage, he learns that death is simply like passing through a valley. Note he walks, not runs, as though afraid. Then, observe, “though I walk through.” He does not stay in the “valley,” but walks through it. Death is only a door through which the believer passes from these scenes of sin and sorrow to the realm of glory and bliss.
Next, I observe that this “valley” is called the “shadow of death.” Why is this? I must not hurry, or I shall be the loser. Let me continue pondering each word separately, so that I may extract its own peculiar sweetness. What is a “shadow”? Ah, how often it terrifies! How many of us, especially during childhood, were frightened by shadows! But if we had only walked right up to them, we should have quickly discovered they were powerless to injure us. And how many a believer has filled the valley of death with terrifying phantoms! How fearfully has he contemplated these images of his own unbelief! O fellow believer, there is nothing, absolutely nothing, for thee to fear in death should it overtake you before the Lord Jesus returns. This valley is called “the valley of the shadow of death” because a “shadow” is the most harmless thing there is!
And now... Having learned that in this valley there is nothing more terrifying than a “shadow,” he now cries with exulting confidence, “I will fear no evil: for thou art with me.”
Here, then, is an example of what we mean by feeding on God’s Word... Pray over it and ask God to give you a blessing... ponder each word separately. Ask the verse questions…
The commands, the exhortations, the admonitions of the Bible, are not so many abstractions. No, they are a revelation of God’s will for me. I must read the Scriptures as addressed to me personally. When I come to some word of God that condemns my ways, I must not pass it over but be honest and take it unto myself. May God give all of us grace to daily appropriate both His promises and precepts.