Week 40
Psalm 23:4 “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.”
Living on earth is like walking through a deep and dark valley, a valley shadowed by death itself. There is not a single day lived on earth where we do not sense, see, or have cause to speculate about the meaning of the darkness of this valley that seems to surround and pervade all we touch and experience.
But this text of Scripture is not about the darkness and the despair felt in the dark valley, this passage is about hope for God’s people who walk through such a dark valley.
The psalmist says, “Even though I walk through…I fear not evil.” The natural and normal experience of walking through life’s dark valleys is to fear evil. Indeed, the existence and presence of darkness screams that evil is here!
Evil does many damaging and destructive things. Evil shadows truth, and evil misuses truth for malevolent purposes. Evil twists our perception of reality, and evil shoots arrows of anguish into our hopes and souls.
But our text is written by one who knew God as his Shepherd; it is a testimony of one who has experienced God’s providential care in the midst of the dark valley. Dark valleys do not imply the absence of God, nor do they assert the insufficiency of God’s love, grace, and provision. In fact, it is quite the opposite; dark valleys become the laboratory in which divine promises are proved to be true and glorious. Thus, dark valleys become the environment where God is found to be true, His grace is proved to be sufficient, and His people find God’s promises to sustain them.
Christian friend, we WILL walk into and through life’s dark valleys where we WILL experience the seemingly overwhelming shadow of death. But God promises to be WITH US; He will be with us in such a way that His authority, His care, His protection, and His provision (rod and staff) will be enough for us. The dark valleys of this life will prove God, not disprove Him. The dark valleys will prove us to be His sheep; they will not destroy our eternal hope in our glorious Shepherd. Therefore, let us WALK ON through the dark valley. Christian, do not sit down and pitch your permanent dwelling there in the dark valley; keep walking and keep going. Keep walking, praying, and trusting that God will be enough for you. He is with you to sustain you and keep you until you come to that moment when He will lead you home to His celestial city. One day the dark valley will be over, and all will be light. Christian friend, keep walking, walk through the dark valley, trusting in your good Shepherd.
Prayer: Lord, today I feel like I am walking through a dark valley. Please help me to remember that this valley is limited; it will not be forever. And help me to remember that You are with me, and Your care and provision are enough. Please remind me that I will smile again, and joy is my eternal destiny in Christ. Amen.