Introduction : From birth, we are surrounded by numerous negative environments such as sin, seduction, lust, avarice, disease, pain, poverty, hatred, despair, death, etc. When we live in these environments, we naturally develop negative thinking and character. It does not require any effort to be a negative person. Left alone, a person easily becomes negative. However, to be a positive person requires firm determination and sustained effort. A person can have a life of eternal absolute affirmation when he/she believes in Jesus Christ, becomes a child of God, and has the Word of God.


1. The experience of the valley of the shadow of death.
    1) Death is the opposite of life - In life, there is joy, vitality, hope, dreams, happiness,
        etc. In death, there is sadness, lethargy, despair, frustration, unhappiness,
        loneliness, etc. (Ro 5:12; Ecc 2:22,23; 2 Co 7:10).
    2) Dark valley - it is the place where people fear, are abandoned, cannot escape, and
        don't have any strength or tactics against the devil's attack. It is the worst, darkest
        place one can experience in life. When faced with this situation, people usually lose
        the desire to live or commit suicide (Ps 107:10,11).
    3) Do not be afraid of evil.
        (1) In the dark valley of death, people lose hope, are inflicted with great harm.
             They are caught with extreme anxiety and fear, concluding that it is impossible for
             them to come back (Job 3:25,26; Pr 10:24).
        (2) In order to overcome fear.
            ① We have to serve someone having greater power than the fear (1 Jn 4:4,18).
            ② Jesus died and resurrected for us.
                - The Lord is the Lord of resurrection who conquered death (Jn 5:24; 16:33).
                   As light wins over darkness, Jesus conquered death (1 Jn 5:5).
            ③ Jesus who defeated death, so loves me that He is always with me (Ps 91:2-12).
        (3) The Lord's rod and staff.
            ① Rod - an instrument to rescue (Ps 5:8; 43:3; 107:14).
            ② Staff - an instrument to defeat the enemy (Ps 121:5-7; Zep 3:15).
    4) More than conquerors (Ro 8:35-39).

2. God prepares a table in the presence of my enemies.
    1) Enemies are everywhere, within a family (Saul and David), brothers (Cain and Abel),
        friends, teachers and disciples (Jesus and Judas Iscariot), neighborhood, nations,
        nationalities, etc.
    2) I no longer live, but Christ lives in me (Ps 123:2; Gal 2:20). When we serve Jesus as
        our master and live as servants of God, the Lord fights for us.
    3) Setting the table before the enemy.
        (1) Examples of setting the table before the enemy.
            ① Table of Goliath, which was given to David - Before the Philistine army, the Lord
                set the table of Goliath for David.
            ② Table of blazing furnace, which was given to Shadrach, Meshach, and
                Abednego - Before King Nebuchadnezzar, the Lord set the table of the blazing
                furnace for Daniel's friends - Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego
                (1 Sa 17:50,51; Da 3:28-30).
        (2) Great and unsearchable things that you do not know
            (Jer 33:3; 1 Co 2:9; Jer 29:11,12).
    4) Anointing on my hair - Setting on high and empowering (Mic 7:8; Ps 92:10,11).
    5) Overflowing cup - great joy (Ps 68:19; 30:5,11).

3. Dwelling in the house of the Lord forever.
    1) Tent house of the flesh - It will fall ill, become weak, and be destroyed
        (Ps 90:3; 103:15; Heb 9:27).
    2) House of secular life - a house of sand; with wind and rain, it will be washed away
        (Ecc 5:15; Mt 7:26,27).
    3) House of the Lord - the Lord has prepared heaven, the New Jerusalem
        (Jn 14:1-3; Rev 21:1-7).


Conclusion : Although the world is harsh and I am so weak, the Lord will be with me even in the dark valley of death. With His rod and staff, He will pick me up from the valley and fight for me against the merciless attacks of the enemy. He will make the table a feast table to be filled with joy. When death comes, He will lead me to the house of the Father. Therefore, when absolute despair or negative influence comes, it will disappear before our Almighty God as light wins over darkness. Only the affirmation that is eternal will remain.