Reaching the place of mist and darkness

Then they went on again, and their conductor did go before them, till they came at a place where was cast up a pit the whole breadth of the way, and before they could be prepared to go over that, a great mist and a darkness fell upon them, so that they could not see. Then said the Pilgrims, Alas! now what shall we do? But their Guide made answer, Fear not stand still and see what an end will be put to this also.

So they stayed there because their path was marred. They then also thought that they did hear more apparently the noise and rushing of the enemies, the fire also and the smoke of the pit was much easier to be discerned. Then said Christiana to Mercy, Now I see what my poor husband went through, I have heard much of this place, but I never was here afore now. Poor man, he went here all alone in the night; he had night almost quite through the way; also these fiends were busy about him as if they would have torn him in pieces. Many have spoke of it, but none can tell what the Valley of the Shadow of Death should mean, until they come in it themselves. The heart knows its own bitterness, and a stranger intermeddleth not with its joy. To be here is a fearful thing.

Great-heart: This is like doing business in great waters, or like going down into the deep; this is like being in the heart of the sea, and like going down to the bottoms of the mountains; now it seems as if the earth with its bars were about us for ever. But let them that walk in darkness and have no light, trust in the name of the Lord, and stay upon their God. For my part, as I have told you already, I have gone often through this valley, and have been much harder put to it than now I am, and yet you see I am alive. I would not boast, for that I am not mine own saviour, but I trust we shall have a good deliverance. Come let us pray for light to him that can lighten our darkness, and that can rebuke not only these, but all the satans in Hell.

So they cried and prayed, and God sent light and deliverance, for there was now no let in their way, no not there where but now they were stopped with a pit. Yet they were not got through the valley; so they went on still, and behold great stinks and loathsome smells, to the great annoyance of them. Then said Mercy to Christiana, There is not such pleasant being here as at the Gate, or at the Interpreter's, or at the house where we lay last.

Oh but, said one of the boys, it is not so bad to go through here as it is to abide here always, and for ought I know, one reason why we must go this way to the house prepared for us, is, that our home might be made the sweeter to us.

Well, said Samuel, quoth the Guide, thou hast now spoke like a man. Why, if ever I get out here again, said the boy, I think I shall prize light and good way better than ever I did in all my life. Then said the Guide, We shall be out by and by.

Interpretation:

Mercy to Christiana, "There is not such pleasant being here as at the Gate, or at the Interpreter's, or at the house where we lay last". The experience in the valley of humiliation is quite different from the pleasant days we enjoy in our church fellowship or in our happy days when all went well with us. Your pastor or any other minister of God except the one who is very close to you like Great-heart can guide you. Great-heart said that he had been there. He said, "I have gone often through this valley, and have been much harder put to it than now I am". The one who has been very closely intimate to you in fellowship can guide you in the valley of humiliation and in the valley of the shadow of death. Let us not forget that it is the ministry of the Holy Ghost, the Help and the Guide Who speaks to our hearts directly through visions or through the written word of God. The Holy Ghost may even send some minister of God like Mr. Great-heart to guide and help us when we are in this valley.

"Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness" (Psalm 30:11).

If we mourn in the valley of shadow of death, we will dance into the Promised Land. Your sackcloth of today will make you gird with gladness tomorrow. The night has to give way to the dawn in your life. You will never continue to be in this valley for ever. You will see the light at the other end of the tunnel that emanates from the long tunnel of afflictions.

"To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified". (Isaiah 51:3).

Mourning in Zion as appointed for us will give us beauty for ashes and the oil of joy. The spirit of heaviness give place to the garment of praise.

Great-heart said "Come let us pray for light to Him that can lighten our darkness, and that can rebuke not only these, but all the satans in Hell".

It is through prayers that you can pass through these valleys. As you pray unceasingly, there will be light in your path and the Lord will rebuke all the demons in hell. The demons will lose their powers which they unleash on the children of the light from the hell.

Next.....Snares