WRITTEN BY DR. JIM GRASSI
Before he was king, David was a shepherd. He knew firsthand the risks sheep faced. While the valleys heading up to the high country had the best quality grasses, clover, and other forage, pathways could become treacherous after winter or during rainstorms. The surrounding dark crevasses and small canyons sprinkled throughout were ideal for the jackals, wolves, bears, and lions to lurk and prey on the sheep. However, his mere presence would have calmed the sheep as he picked his way through the darkness. They would have focused on him rather than on all the dangers, toils, and snares.
And so it can be with us; Jesus referred to Himself as the Good Shepherd (John 10:11). It is in this context that David wrote:
“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want… 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” (Psalm 23:1,4).
Notice that David acknowledges that the Lord often leads us through the valley of the shadow of death. He doesn’t tell us we have to stay there or linger in the darkness or that we must die there. God wants us to walk through the mud and mire of this chaotic world and head to the sunshine on the hilltops where we can sense His grace and love – and not alone. David did not fear the dark valleys because he had learned that God is with us during those trying times. In the trials of disappointment, loneliness, fear, anxiety attacks, tough choices at work, burdensome financial difficulties, and other distressing dilemmas – our dark valleys – the presence of the Great Shepherd can be our comfort and guide.
As we move through struggles, we draw closer to God and His promises. It’s in the valleys we find the spiritually refreshing water. Walking with our Lord in the valleys, we find His ultimate provision, strength, and comfort. We get to know Him more intimately as we trust Him. Our faith grows and our love for Jesus deepens as we put our trust in Him and allow Him to lead us out of these times of great difficulty. Sometimes the Lord leads us to green pastures in this life on this earth, but sometimes He leads us to the greatest pasture, Heaven.
“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also” (John 14:1-3).
This gives us hope that we do not need to fear death of our bodies in the dark valley because even in that, we are led to the ultimate higher ground to fellowship in intimate contact with our Lord. For the believer, death is but a dark valley that leads to an eternity of great delight and joy.
Scripture Reading: John 14:4-7
Personal Application: What “dangers, toils, and snares” has the Lord guided you through? How has your faith grown through challenging times? If you are going through a difficulty right now, ask the Lord to guide you and be intentional about trusting Him to lead you through it.
- Taken in part from The Great Shepherd: A Psalm of Calm in a Time of Chaos by Jim Grassi, D. Min
Jim Grassi, D. Min.
We cherish any verse in Scripture that reminds us to keep focused and intentional about evangelism and discipleship. “But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.” 2 Timothy 4:5