THE VALLEY WALKER
"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." - Psalm 23:4
We are tempted to think that God only walks with us
when we are on the mountains. When we
have those mountaintop experiences, we feel like God is so near. Those events stir and encourage us.
In the twenty-third psalm, David reveals that God
also walks with us through the valleys.
Others like to walk with you on the mountains, but few will walk with
you when you're going through the valley.
The deepest, darkest valleys are often places where no human can walk
with you --- but God does!
Currently, I have several family members, church
members and friends who are going through the valley. Some of them are going through experiences I've never been
through before. Although I'd like to
help them in a tangible way, I know that I am limited. I'm glad there is One who walks with each
one of them as they travel the deep, dark valley of pain, problems or
sorrow.
From David's words in Psalm 23:4, I find two
comforting truths:
1. THERE IS
COMPANIONSHIP IN THE VALLEY
First of all, there is companionship in the
valley. David wrote, "Yea, though
I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me." Some valleys are deeper than others. Certain valleys are much longer than others. A few are very dark and lonely. No valley could be worse than the valley of
the shadow of death. Each human must visit
this valley from time to time. Yet for
David, this valley did not bring him fear because he knew he would not walk
through the valley alone.
A valley can be a gloomy place to walk through,
especially if the valley is deep, long and dark. Those who struggle with depression and despair can testify to
this. Yet the Christian never goes through a valley alone. Like David, we can say, "I will fear no
evil: for thou art with me." God
is with us in the valley. He is just as
near in the valley as He is when we are on the mountaintop.
It could be that you've been walking in a valley a
long time. If so, let me encourage you
by focusing your attention on one word in our text, the word,
"through." David wrote,
"Yea, though I walk THROUGH the valley of the shadow of death." The valley may seem long. It may be difficult, but you are not staying
there. You are going through it. There is an end to the valley. It may end today. Perhaps tomorrow. Maybe
when Jesus comes. Regardless, the
valley is only temporary.
2. THERE IS
COMFORT IN THE VALLEY
Secondly, there is comfort in the valley. David wrote, "thy rod and thy staff,
they comfort me." The Good
Shepherd's staff is a tender reminder that He is in control. He is leading the way. It may be tough to believe at times, but God
will deliberately take His children into valleys. Sometimes the best way to get to the desire destination is travel
a difficult route. Most of us would
prefer to travel an easy path in life.
The easy path would ruin us if it were the only road we traveled. We learn and grow more in the valleys. There, where the path is dark and uncertain,
we learn to trust God. We learn to
follow His leading. We learn to
appreciate and love Him more. We find
wisdom in His correcting rod. We find
guidance with His helpful staff.
Do you want to know how mature saints became so
godly? Much of their education came
through the valleys of life. God molded
them as they endured afflictions and trials.
We learn more from life's tests than we do from any textbook.
While we walk through valleys, it is good to know
that there is a valley walker who makes sure we go through it safely. We may not understand the reason for the
valleys we must cross. We can rejoice
in the fact that the Good Shepherd doesn't lead His sheep into the valley so He
may lose them there. Instead, He
directs His sheep into the valley so they may ultimately come out the other
side of the valley with Him.
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