Have you ever noticed that David doesn’t run through his darkest valley? He walks. That’s not a throwaway detail. Psalm 23 says, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil.” David isn’t rushing, panicking, or looking for a way out. He’s steady, taking it one step at a time. Why? Because his Shepherd is right there with him.
Shadows have a way of making everything look worse than it really is. When all we see are the shadows, sickness, grief, bills piling up, and relationships on the rocks, fear grows and grows. David shows us a better way. He lifts his eyes and focuses on the Shepherd. Not the shadows. Not the problems. The presence of God is what gives him the courage to keep walking.
The valley of the shadow of death wasn’t just a poetic idea. It was a real place near Jerusalem, a dangerous stretch of road. Jesus Himself would walk through that same valley on the night He was betrayed. David knew what it was to face real trouble. He didn’t pretend it wasn’t there. He just knew Who was with him.
Maybe you’re facing your valley right now. You don’t have to run or hide. With Jesus beside you carrying His rod and staff, you can keep putting one foot in front of the other, even when you can’t see the end. You’re not just making it through. You’re being led, step by step, to the other side.
Remember, this promise isn’t something you earn by being “good enough.” It’s yours because the Shepherd is good, and He isn’t leaving you. If you look to Him today, you’ll find the strength to keep walking, no matter how dark it feels.
Psalm 23 isn’t just for Sunday school. It’s for anybody who’s ever felt lost in the dark, afraid, or ready to give up. The Shepherd is with you. You’re going to make it through.
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