Through the Valley

There is a change that happens in Psalm 23 beginning with verse four. King David has been talking about his Shepherd in the first three verses and the wonderful blessings of contentment, peace, and guidance.  But now he begins talking to his Shepherd beginning in verse four, “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.”

The blessing of God’s presence is your life is the greatest blessing of all. He is greater than anything else in life; greater than His blessings and greater than any enemy or threat, even death. King David knew all to well that in this life there is the constant threat of enemies that seek to do one thing; to kill, steal, and to destroy. It is the same today.

But with God there is no reason to fear the threats of the enemy. Jesus Christ has defeated the enemies of the world, the flesh, and the devil. The “rod and staff” of Christ are His sinless life and death for us and His resurrected Life in us. This is our strength (“comfort”) as we go through the seasons of trial and temptation.

Try this: Take the time to get still and quiet with the Lord, asking Him to help you remember times in your past when you were being led by the Lord through a valley. What was the rod and staff in each of those valleys? Was it an encouraging word from a brother or sister in the Lord? Was it a song? Was it a verse of Scripture? Was it a card or a phone call? Do you know someone that you could send a rod and staff to today?