The darkest valley
When in conversation with others about our past, I always encourage people to remember the happy times. But just for a moment–today–I ask you:
What is your darkest moment?
This blog is the fourth message in my series on Psalm 23. The fourth verse reads:
Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. Psalm 23:4 (NIV)
Dr. Charles Allen, in the comforting book I am reading on Psalm 23, quotes a famous minister:
Henry Ward Beecher says the Twenty-third Psalm is the nightingale of the Psalms. The nightingale sings its sweetest when the night is darkest. And for most of us death is the most terrifying fact of life.”
God’s Healing Psychiatry: Healing for Your Troubled Heart, P. 32
The King James Version of Psalm 23:4 places emphasis on the reality of death:
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me. Psalm 23:4 (KJV)
Dr. Allen writes of an actual Valley of the Shadow of Death in Palestine:
It leads from Jerusalem to the Dead Sea and is a very narrow and dangerous pathway through the mountain range. The path is rough, and there is danger that a sheep may fall at any moment to its death. It is a forbidding journey that one dreads to take. But the sheep is not afraid. Why? Because the shepherd is with it.”
God’s Psychiatry: Healing for Your Troubled Soul, p. 32
“The sheep is not afraid, because the shepherd is with it.“
Do we have that strength of faith in our Shepherd?
Like you, I’ve had numerous dark moments in my life–broken relationships, marriage conflict, anxiety about my children, and derailed career opportunities. The greatest challenge I ever faced was caring for my husband during his yearlong battle with cancer and watching helplessly as the disease took everything from him. Cancer has no mercy. More darkness followed after his death. Pain and sorrow are a deep abyss that threaten to pull us down to a place where we cannot survive.
How do we survive that dark valley? How do we pass safely through it to the other side?
We call out to our Lord…
Moses said to the Lord, “May the Lord, the God who gives breath to all living things, appoint someone over this community to go out and come in before them, one who will lead them out and bring them in, so the Lord’s people will not be like sheep without a shepherd.” Numbers 27:15-17
Just as the Lord appointed Joshua to shepherd and lead the people of Israel, God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior to be our Good Shepherd. Jesus loves us, protects us, brings comfort, and heals our broken spirit.
I’ve not heard a Nightingale sing in person, but I do know that a tragic loss can bring out the best in us–if we allow it. Memories of our loved one can help us carry forth in service with the goal of spreading kindness and goodness in our troubled world.
I’m still in the dark valley, trying to follow my Shepherd. The journey is not easy–there are obstacles, pitfalls, and hidden fears that continue to emerge to push me back into the darkness or toss me into the pit of despair. But I have those words of promise…
“I will fear no evil, for you are with me.”
Our Shepherd is always with us–do we trust Him to lead?
Praying for you, my friends–in your darkest valley, that you will find comfort and peace in the Light of Jesus, our Savior and Shepherd.
Previous blogs in this series on Psalm 23:
In the dark valley, we an find comfort and peace because our Shepherd goes before us. When we follow His footsteps we don’t fall. This is an enlightening post for those times that the valley is dark and we can find hope here.
Our Savior is so many things–our Shepherd, our Light, our Protector and Rescuer. Without Him we are lost–with Him we are rescued and saved. It’s hard to comprehend how much He loves us, as undeserving as we are. Our blessings overflow. Thanks for stopping by, Barbara. Wishing you a blessed week.
I don’t think I’ve found my darkest place yet; still, I fear its coming. There’s been many times when I felt death’s presence around me. War, sickness, the loss of precious loved ones; and yes, divorce. It is that enveloping darkness that seeps into our souls that can threaten to rob us of everything we hold dear. To date, there’s always been God. Even when I didn’t really believe in Him and certainly wasn’t devoted to Him, His presence was made real in those moments. For instead of being swallowed up by the darkness, a voice, a light, a flicker of hope came into my life to guide me out of the darkness. What a wonderful blessing is God’s promise to always be there with us in this life, and for eternity if we’re His. Praying lots if light in your journey my gentle friend.
Even when we are confident in our relationship with our Savior, I think it is natural to have fear of the unknown. We know the final plan, but we don’t know what is between now and then. There will be more darkness. But you say it best, J.D.–“What a wonderful blessing is God’s promise to always be there with us in the life, and for eternity if we’re His.” Thank you for sharing blessings with me today, my friend.
Katherine, another beautiful post about one of the most precious passages ever. My take away in the past nine years from this Psalm has been His accompaniment.
Marilyn, your support during this time has been so helpful to me. I’m glad to know that Psalm 23 is a source of comfort for you also. Wishing you peace and blessings, my friend.
He is always with us. And we need to trust Him. Love this message.
Thank you, Nancy. We’re so blessed, aren’t we? To have a God that is steadfast and trustworthy, always there when we call out to Him.
I’m enjoying this series so much! Because of the generation I’m in, I have several friends who have experienced the loss of a spouse and I see how much they are suffering. I pray they find their way through the darkness as you are doing are because your hope is in Him.
Continuing to pray for you.
Candyce, I’m so grateful for your prayers and encouragement. I lifted your friends in prayer after I read your post. We are never fully prepared for a loved one to leave us. The darkness is often overpowering, more than we can bear. Yet Jesus is there with us, every moment, to gift us with Light and Love. I know you have been an encourager and prayer warrior for your friends. Please continue, they need you. Wishing you and your family good health and blessings, my friend.
Oh, Katherine, what a courageous and honest post about being in the dark valley following your husband’s illness and death. I’m sure this will be a tremendous comfort and encouragement to many people as you point them to follow their Shepherd. My prayers are with you.
I’m so thankful for your prayers, Kathy. I need them. The darkness still intrudes, but Jesus brings Light, Love, and Hope. I pray that my words can be encouragement for those who are frightened or grieving. The darkness threatens to overwhelm us and only Jesus can banish the fear and help us cope with the sorrow. Prayers for you and your family for continued good health.
Katherine, thank you for sharing your own dark days as you point us to the Shepherd who walks beside us.
We are so blessed, aren’t we, Jeannie, to have a faithful, trustworthy Shepherd who is with us every step of our journey–through the darkness and the light–to protect us and love us on our life’s journey. Hope your day is filled with sunshine, my friend.