“Even when I walk through a valley of deep darkness, I will not be afraid because you are with me. Your rod and your staff—they comfort me” Psalm 23:4. (ISV)

We lost power in the middle of the night once when there was no moonlight. Since we live away from the center of town, there isn’t much light coming from outside. I have never experienced such deep darkness before. I could see absolutely nothing.  The kids were all little, and they were terrified. So we came to them first, and then searched for flashlights.  As soon as we were with the kids, they calmed right down.  They didn’t like the dark but they weren’t terrified like they had been when they were alone in it. 

Nobody likes going into the “deepest darkness” as the GNT puts it.  Most people prefer to be on the mountain top, loving life, enjoying the view.  But if there were only mountains, then the landscape is not high, it is flat. There is nothing higher than where you already are. And nothing lower. So you never learn to climb.  

Sea turtles need to climb through the sand to get to the water. The climbing is what gives them the strength they will need to swim once they reach the water.  Without that experience, they would not survive.

 We need to learn to climb too.

We need the valley to learn life giving lessons so we can enjoy the mountain.  And to get out of the valley, we have to climb hard and long up dangerous pathways to get to higher ground, hoping we won’t be lost, or eaten by carnivorous critters like bears and wolves. 

But we are never alone. The Great Shepherd is guiding us, protecting us.

Sheep have a lot of dangers in a valley as well. Besides being eaten by wild animals, they can get lost, injured, stuck, or fall over and not be able to get back up on their own (and therefore die). Because of this, the shepherd is very attentive and is always looking out for his sheep. He calls them back when they start to wander, and may use his rod to gently guide them back to the herd.  He notices when one slips away and goes out to find the missing sheep. If a sheep has fallen over, the shepherd will help to get him back on his feet. If he is stuck, the shepherd will use his hooked staff to wrap around him and pull him up. He  keeps watch for wolves and protects the sheep by using his rod to defend against wolves and drive them away.  

The shepherd is fully equipped with everything needed to safely get them through the valley. 

When we are in a valley, we are in it with our shepherd, Jesus. 

He guides and protects us. 

He pulls us out of the mud.

He rescues us from dangerous places.

He puts our feet on safe ground.

He protects us from evil.

He makes sure we make it through alright.

Be encouraged, my friend.  Our God is able to get you through this valley threatening death. He will never leave you or abandon you, and nothing can separate you from him.  (Hebrews 13:5, Romans 8:38, Psalm 139:7-12) 

As much as God loves the sheep and the turtles, his love for you is the greatest of all.