Mountains and Valleys
Many of us have read or heard of the very popular Bible passage Psalm 23, where David talks about God being his Shepherd, how he leads him beside still waters and restores his soul. One part of this verse stirs something deep within my heart in verse 4.
Psalm 23:4 ESV
“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,[c] I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”
Have you ever had a season in your life you didn’t want to be in, where you asked God, “Why am I here?” “What am I doing in this place?” With fists clenched, heels digging in the ground, telling God, “I don’t want to be here!” Sounds like the valley of the shadow of death is one of those places. Other versions of this verse also read valley of darkness or death.
What do you think David saw when he walked through the valley of darkness?
The valley David refers to in this verse is a valley in the desert of Judah. Anyone who walks through this valley is putting themselves at risk of encountering anything lurking in the darkness, wildlife, bandits, even a random flash flood.
What strikes me, David is walking through the valley where there is a shadow of death. Where there was a lot of unknowns surrounding him. Anything could attack or happen to him at any moment. Yet, he didn’t run away from the darkness, he didn’t take a different route, he walks right through it.
Do you think David knew he was going to walk through a valley of death?
I think many of us would have turned around if we knew what lied ahead. We always wonder why God doesn’t share details with us. If we really knew, we wouldn’t go where God was asking us to go. David then says in response to walking in the valley, “I will fear no evil, you’re rod and staff comfort me.” David knew even if he was in the valley he was safe and protected because God was with him every step of the way.
In Everybody Always, Bob Goff talks about fighter pilots who train in the valleys in between the mountains. When asked why do they train at lower elevations where winds can get them, their response was, ‘so we can get better.’
God isn't always going to lead us to the safest route forward but to the one where we will grow the most. God knows without risk we wouldn't grow #quote @BobGoff #EverybodyAlwaysClick To TweetDavid knew walking through the valley would be hard. But he also knew in the valley is where he learned to depend on and trust in God the most. Walking through the valley will be dark and seem like God is far away. When we trust in what God is able to do and not in what we see, He walks us safely to the other side every time.
It is so easy to praise God when we’re standing on the mountain but not always so easy when we’re deep in the valleys.
Imagine what would happen if we took the same approach as David? If we faced our fears, our darkness and walked through them, depending on God for our guidance and comfort when we’re afraid?
In the valley is where we grow the most and receive the sweetest most unexpected victories when we trust God to walk us to the other side of our darkness.
Psalm 23:5, “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.”
God goes and prepares a table before us in the presence of our enemies. God doesn’t promise we won’t have to walk through our valleys in the absence of our enemies, but in their presence. As our enemies surround us God our Shepherd, the master of provision provides for us everything we need in the midst of our battles.
The enemies in our lives are powerless over us when we praise him in our darkness–when we push through holding onto God’s hand, when we trust and don’t know how everything will turn out. God’s generosity of mercy and grace then overflows in us, all the days of our lives and we will dwell in his house forever (Psalm 23:6). In God’s house lies a sanctuary of peace and love like none other that sets us free from the fears of any darkness.
The next time fear gets the best of you, allow God to be your Shepherd leading you through your dark valleys. Pray Psalm 23 over your situation. Close your eyes and follow the voice of the Shepherd. Trust in Him, take His hand, He knows the way.
A voice cries:[a]
“In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord;
make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
4 Every valley shall be lifted up,
and every mountain and hill be made low;
the uneven ground shall become level,
and the rough places a plain.
5 And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed,
and all flesh shall see it together,
for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”
Isaiah 40:3-5
What season are you in?
How do you allow God to lead you through your valley?
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