“Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for You are with me…” – Psalms 23:4 (NIV)
In our Bibles, a valley is not just geography. It’s a season. This valley experience is real, temporary, and purposeful. It is also challenging. But 2nd Corinthians 5:7 tells us that we walk by faith and not by sight, i.e., we trust God in every ‘valley-like’ situation. King David had many ‘valleys’ experiences and left an example for us to follow.
The valley is dangerous; it is described as a low-lying area between hills or mountains. During David’s time in Israel, the valleys were dark, dangerous, and hard to escape. It was a hiding place for lions and enemies (1st Samuel 17:34-36). Valleys are easy to get lost in, a real place of fear and death. These are the places a shepherd had to walk through to get to the green pasture. You could not go around it.
At some point in our lives, we will encounter a valley experience because we are a chosen people, but we must remember that God is with us, and He’s still in control. The valley doesn’t mean God has abandoned us. He delivered David from the lion and the bear, and He’s still on His throne. The valley doesn’t cancel His control.
God often meets people in the valley. It’s a place of testing. He wants us to grow. A shepherd doesn’t send sheep into a valley and watch from far off; he walks with them. Throughout our grief and loneliness, and the ‘I don’t know what’s next,’ God, our Shepherd and Hope, is with us.
Brothers and sisters, God does not shame us for being in a valley. He’s empowering us. Don’t measure God by the size of your valley. Measure the valley by the size of your God.
Prayer
Jesus, thank You for always walking with me. I walk knowing that You, my Shepherd is leading graciously. Thank You, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Read: 2 Chronicles 20:17; Isaiah 40:4
Bible Reading Guide: Psalm 97; 1 Corinthians 9:19-27; 1 Corinthians 10:1-13; 2 Chronicles 2; 2 Chronicles 3; 2 Chronicles 4; 2 Chronicles 5:1