A further reason that the valley of the shadow of death does not need to drive us to fear is found in II Corinthians 5:1-8. In my own words, he is saying here that if our body dies, we as God’s people have a better one that never dies. It is an eternal body. Now we know our spirit does not die like our body does. but he is telling us here that there is one made for us that never dies. Then in verses 6-8, he tells us that when our body that we are in now dies, we go into the presence of the Lord, our Good Shepherd.
An example of this is Stephen, the first martyr. We read of him in Acts, chapter 6 and 7. When Stephen was preaching, those who rejected his message got so angry that they began to stone him to death, but Stephen was full of the Holy Ghost and looked up stedfastly into heaven. His focus was not on those who were killing him. He was certainly now in the valley of the shadow of death. Then he saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. They stoned Stephen who was calling on God, and he was saying, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit”, and after that he said, “Lord, lay not this sin to their charge.” Then it says Stephen fell asleep, meaning his body died.
This truth, when believed, will set a person free from the fear of the valley of the shadow of death. In death, the presence of the Good Shepherd becomes more real then ever.
Let There Be Life 