Help For Walking Through Life’s Dark Valleys

The 23^rd Psalm was written by a shepherd, yet from the perspective of a sheep. King David, the writer of this psalm, was a shepherd before becoming king. He drew on his deep understanding of the shepherd-sheep relationship and used this imagery to express his relationship with God in this psalm. This Shepard’s Psalm is a reflection of his trust in God’s guidance, provision, and protection.

Though David moved from shepherding animals to shepherding people, he never lost sight of the fact that he, too, needed a shepherd. The Bible does not describe David as a self-made man, but rather as a man after God’s own heart. David recognized that any greatness that he possessed was God-given, not self-produced. Yes, he may have been a king – a type of shepherd – who ruled over multitudes of people, but he also knew that deep down he was just a sheep in need of a shepherd.

Anybody who grew up with even a slight connection to church has more than likely memorized Psalm 23:1, though perhaps not intentionally: “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.” Attend a Christian funeral and you’ll probably hear the 23^rd Psalm at some point in the service. Its popularity, no doubt, is due to its themes of comfort, guidance, and protection, and its message of trust in a loving and caring shepherd.

This psalm makes a powerful emotional connection as it speaks directly to our human experience of vulnerability, fear, and the desire for comfort and protection. Its words have the power to touch our hearts and offer us a sense of hope and peace, especially during times of hardship, grief, or uncertainty.

No wonder we find such encouragement and comfort in this psalm. Look at all that it says God does for us:

• He provides us rest (v. 2).
• He refreshes us (v. 3).
• He guides us (v. 3).
• He goes with us (v. 4).
• He comforts us (v. 4).
• He prepares for us (v. 5).
• He anoints us (v. 5).
• He pursues us (v. 6).
• He provides for us for all eternity (v. 6).

As I was reading and meditating on the 23^rd Psalm this week, I realized that even though God does all these things I just referenced for us sheep, there is one thing that God does not do for us: He does not walk through the valley for us. He states in verse 4: “Even though I walk through the darkest valley (NIV), or as the King James Version says, “Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death.” God has provided everything for us, but we still have to do our own walking.

Often we cry out to God asking Him to remove us from our circumstances, but Psalms 23 says nothing about removing us from the walk of life that goes right through our darkest circumstances; valleys that can cast terrible shadows, even the shadow of death.

But God has given us free will. We must choose to face life head-on with all its peaks and valleys, joys and sorrows, under the care of our Good Shepherd. When we choose to trust the Good Shepherd, we are guaranteed safe passage.

Some of you reading these words right now are in the midst of a dark valley; perhaps a marriage that’s on the rocks, a child that’s walked away from the Lord, an alcohol or substance habit you’re trying to kick, a bad medical report, depression, financial woes, or a friend that’s let you down.

Do not despair. You are not alone.

The promise of God is not that we will be spared from the dark valleys. It is that as we walk through these valleys we will be led by the Good Shepherd, the one who provides for all our needs by giving us rest, refreshing, guidance, comfort, preparation, anointing, love, and eternal peace. Trust God for all your needs. He has your best interests in mind. He will turn your valley of death into your walk of life.

Play to win this week in the game that really counts!