“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear
no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”
(Psalms 23:4 ESV)
Sometimes when we read this verse, we come to think that it is our Heavenly
Father who leads us into “the valley of the shadow of death.” If this is
you, then I invite you to read the verse again: “Even though I
walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no
evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” Notice
that the verse doesn’t say that our Shepherd leads us into trouble. It
simple says that we will walk there. This is a perfectly biblical concept,
and even Jesus told us, “In this world you will have trouble…” (John 16:33b
NIV).
The Good News is that no matter where we are, our Heavenly Father is always
with us. If we are in trouble, our heavenly Father will not run away from
us. He will be right there with us: “It is the Lord who goes before you. He
will be with you; He will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be
dismayed.” (Deut. 31:8 ESV) That’s because He loves us!
We were blessed to be able to visit the beautiful coast of Oregon last
summer. We were staying in a travel trailer in various campgrounds, and
since our tiny rig doesn’t have a toilet or shower, we are required to make
use of the provided campground bathhouses. This particular evening I had
gone to the bathhouse for my shower. Apparently I stayed in the shower
longer than anticipated, for when I exited the building to return to our
trailer, it was already completely dark. Now, my vision is poor in the best
of times, and I am rendered completely blind in the dark. Because I hadn’t
anticipated it getting dark so early, I had not thought to bring a light of
any kind, and I soon found myself wandering blindly through that big
campground, completely disoriented and thoroughly lost.
I began to pray. As I did, I became aware of a noise. I headed for it, and I
soon found myself drawn to the lights of a familiar-looking trailer. As I
drew closer, I realized that it was the trailer in the campsite next to my
own. All I had to do was walk around that trailer, and I would be back at my
little home on wheels.
I had found it!
Or, better said, I was lost and my Heavenly Father led me to my trailer. I
couldn’t have found my way on my own, but my Heavenly Father led me to
safety.
No matter where we are, God is with us. We are never alone. He will guide
us, especially during those times when we are led into the “valley of the
shadow of death.” It is during those times that if we put our faith in Him,
we will truly “fear no evil”!
Our Heavenly Father loves us!
Rob Chaffart