Light in the Shadow

Grace in the Valley is a book that seeks to offer comfort to those going through the valley of life. Using the concept of a central point in the text -- a quality of poetry found often in Hebrew poems -- Heath Adamson declares that verse 4a, "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for you are with me" forms the nexus upon which we should understand the rest of the Psalm. Exploring each phrase in the psalm and how it relates to this central idea is the thesis of this book.
Overall, Adamson does a commendable job with the task. He enlightens readers as to how God is present in their lives as shepherd even when the valley threatens. Each phrase expanding out from the valley forms a testimony of God's presence and care in life.
Unfortunately, there are times when Adamson stretches the text to get his point across or provides an illustration that could leave the reader with a less than adequate understanding of what Adamson sees in the text. In addition, Adamson fails to explore the richness of Hebrew poetry and that having a central point in Hebrew poems is often a method of emphasis or focus. If he had explored this motif at the start of his book, it would likely have made the argument stronger.
This said, the book offers great comfort to those who believe in God who are walking through the valley. God is certainly with us in the valley moments of life, ultimately leading us to safer pasture and to sup at his table in the house of the Lord forever.
I received this book as part of the blogging program from Baker Publishing.