Through the Darkest Valley - Psalm 23:4

Recently a dear relative and his wife lost their first pregnancy at five months. She went into labor suddenly and delivered a beautiful baby boy, still born. Needless to say, they are devastated and the entire family is hurting with and for them.

The first week home from the hospital they chose to remain secluded and grieve their loss together privately. But in the midst of their pain their faith remained strong. They spent a lot of time in GOD’s WORD seeking comfort, understanding and strength.

This dear young couple is going through what the psalmist David describes as a dark valley (Psalm 23:4) – a time of darkness, pain and suffering.

All believers will face dark valley days at some point in their lifetime. Family support and land our closest friends can help to ease our hurts and get us through tough times.

However, some burdens are beyond human understanding and bearing and we need more. Those are the situations where only divine help can keep us from total collapse.

GOD promises to be with us in our dark valley.

Psalm 23 may be as well known to believers as it is to non-believers.  But for believers this Psalm should never be allowed to become stale and commonplace. 

This psalm can be our spiritual lifeline in a crisis. Every line of the eight verses that make up this song of praise and thanksgiving speaks of GOD’s tender loving care for His children.

Although the Psalm is known to and by many, its promises are for those who are in CHRIST JESUS. He is the GOOD SHEPHERD. Only through Him are we the children of GOD. And only through Him do we receive the protection from earthly and spiritual lack and ruin that this Psalm celebrates.

Let’s look at the promise in verse 4 – “Even when I go through the darkest valley, I fear no danger, for You are with me.” Psalm 23:4a. Other versions of the Bible read, even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death…”

We all will have a “valley” experience at some time in our lives. Scripture assures us that we will have suffering in this world but we can face them with courage since in them we will also have peace. (John 16:33).

Note the text of Psalm 23:4a doesn’t say if, but when I go through (or even though I walk through.)

Our GOOD SHEPHERD has an assignment from the Father to look out for GOD’s sheep at all times. In the good and bad times, He is with us. That includes in the midst of our valley experiences.

Note also that the promise is not that GOD will take away our troubles, but that He will take us through them. 

When we are in a painful place we tend to pray for escape. Instead GOD says I am taking you through your troubles and I will be right there in it with you, to give you strength and comfort.

Why does GOD want us to endure our trials?

Because we have the GOOD SHEPHERD to watch over us, we are not defenseless. 

We are able to do all things through His strength and to the glory of the Father who loves us. In our most dire circumstances GOD works for our good and ultimately, for His glory. (Romans 8:28).

Scripture tells us to rejoice in our afflictions, because we know that affliction produces endurance, endurance produces proven character, and proven character produces hope. Romans 5:3-4  Hope, not in ourselves but in the eternal promises of GOD who is omniscient. He’s all-knowing and all-seeing.

While we may be unable to see beyond the enfolding darkness of our present pain, we must not lose hope. Our confidence and trust are in the GOD who is able to see us through to the other side.

The Old Testament prophet Habakkuk lived through one of the darkest periods in Jewish history but his confidence in GOD’s sovereignty, mercy and ability to save and deliver remained fixed:  

Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, yet I will rejoice in the Lord! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation! The Sovereign Lord is my strength! He makes me as surefooted as a deer, able to tread upon the heights. Habakkuk 3:17-19

Why does the GOOD SHEPHERD do all that He does? 

This Psalm tells us it’s for His NAME’s sake (Psalm 23:3).

Renewing our lives, guiding us along right paths, walking us through the darkest valley are all the ways that GOD shows His faithfulness to us. And by His faithfulness GOD both gets us safely to the end of our journey and brings honor to His NAME.

For this reason, we can trust the GOOD SHEPHERD's promise to banish all fear and give us peace and hope through our darkest valley.

The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. John 10:11

Prayer and Thanksgiving: Holy Father, we praise YOU as our faithful GOD and Father and thank YOU for the GOOD SHEPHERD who watches over us always. We thank YOU for the wisdom by which you guide us, renew and restore us and for YOUR presence with us even when we are too distressed to know it. Help us to use Psalm 23 as a daily song of praise, to get it fixed into our minds and hearts so we know immediately the comfort and loving care it gives in a crisis. Thank you for loving us so completely and for the richness of YOUR grace to us. YOUR NAME be glorified for ever and ever. We pray and ask all things in JESUS’ name. Amen.

Always by God’s Word and prayer,

Cecile