Through the Valley

Psalm 23:4–6, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.”

Yesterday, David showed us the Shepherd leading beside still waters and into green pastures. But the path of the Shepherd does not always remain there.

Sometimes it goes through a valley.

David does not say, “If I walk through the valley.” He says, “though I walk through the valley.” Difficult seasons are part of life. Following the LORD does not mean that we will never experience grief, uncertainty, sickness, disappointment, or loss.

But something changes in verse 4.

David had been speaking about the Shepherd: “He maketh me… He leadeth me… He restoreth me.”
Then he enters the valley and says, “Thou art with me.”
In the valley, the Shepherd becomes very personal.

David’s confidence was not that the valley would disappear. His confidence was that he would not walk through it alone.

And notice that he is walking through the valley. The valley is not the destination.

There are seasons when we cannot see the green pasture ahead. There are moments when all we can see are shadows. But shadows cannot change who our Shepherd is.

His goodness is still following us.
His mercy is still following us.
And He is still with us.

Act Today: If you are walking through a valley, stop asking only for the valley to disappear and thank the LORD that He is with you in it. Read Psalm 23 aloud and rest in the presence of your Shepherd.