In review of Psalm 23:4 it says, “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me” (NIV).
Today I look at Psalm 23:4. In it, David says that even when walking through the dark valley he will not be afraid, for you (God) are close beside me, guarding, guiding all the way.
This reminds me that only one person can walk with me through dark valleys and bring me safely to the other side, it’s the God of life, my shepherd. And because life is so uncertain, I need to follow this shepherd who offers me eternal comfort.
It’s no surprise that no one gets to live a life without setbacks. All of us will face storms from time to time. The real issue is how I respond to them. It’s what happens next? Does the setback dominate me, does it stop me from trying, or does it make me want to give up?
If I’m not careful, setbacks will lead me toward unhelpful decisions, such as:
. Drifting from my goals. Hearing the little voice inside that asks, “What’s the use of trying?” Then I stop striving for what God has clearly called me to do.
. Discarding what I value. Sometimes, after a period of intense pain, my priorities can change, and I let go of what once mattered greatly to me.
. Despairing about my future. I figure I’m doomed, finished, and it’s all over.
What I’m learning is that the true test of faith is not how high I jump when I’m singing praises to God, but how straight I walk when I’m going through the valley of the shadow of death.
I’ll always end up drifting in a storm without the right anchor. God’s presence is the greatest anchor in any situation.
When I’m feeling hopeless, I need to remember that God hasn’t left me. I can make him my rock-solid anchor. No matter how dark my valley, I’ve never been closer to God than I am at this exact moment. There are times however when we don’t feel his presence.”
But it really has nothing to do with how I feel. The Bible says God is there in my darkest valley. That’s reality—whether I believe it or not.
The Bible tells us, “I’m absolutely convinced that nothing—nothing living or dead, angelic or demonic, today or tomorrow, high or low, thinkable or unthinkable—absolutely nothing can get between us and God’s love because of the way that Jesus our Master has embraced us” (Romans 8:38-39 The Message).
I need to remember that no matter what I’m going through, God and his love are right here with me. That truth offers stability in any storm.
Bottom Line:
In the darkest times God will be there with you providing protection and guidance.
What this means to me:
When things seem dark and bleak I do not need to fear, for God you are close beside me, protecting and guiding me.
In summary, even when walking through the darkest valleys I will not be afraid, for God is close beside me, protecting and guiding my all the way. God is the only one who can walk with me through the dark valley's and bring me safely to the other side. All of us will face storms, the real issue is how I respond to them. If I'm not careful setbacks will lead me toward unhelpful decisions such as drifting from my goals, discarding what I value and despairing about my future. The true test of faith is how straight I walk when I'm going through the dark valley. I need to remember that God will never leave me. No matter what I'm going through, God and his love are right here with me.
As I reflect on this today, I don’t think I doubt God’s presence as much as I see my health and body as being items where I’m despairing about my future. I have drifted from any goals I had and have discarded what I valued. God I confess this morning that I have not taken care of things that I needed to, in favor of work items. Starting today, with our help, I’d like to turn this around. Concentrate on my health and body. Not giving up from any prior goals and not letting other things get in the way. I also pray again Father for your wisdom and guidance in what I do today, my work tasks, my leadership and my interaction with others. These things I pray in your Son Jesus name, amen.
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