“He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 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.” –Psalm 23:3-4, ESV
How often I put things to memory without real understanding. How often I miss important details.
Have you ever put these two verses together? Have you considered that the Good Shepherd is not just with us leading us THROUGH the valley, but INTO it?
Consider that the paths of righteousness do not just meander through lush pastures and refreshing waters (v.2) but travel deep into ominous ravines. This is why Christ implores us to “count the cost” (Luke 14:26-33), for the way that leads to life is “difficult” (Mat 7:14). Trials and tribulations are a guarantee (John 16:33).
And now notice what is a comfort: the rod and staff—guiding instruments of the Shepherd to keep the sheep from straying, often through a physical strike or pull. I find this more astounding than ever. Why would these harsh instruments be a comfort in the valley? Should not the good shepherd simply pick us up and carry us out? This is my unspoken assumption.
How often I have sought the will of God, thinking that the right answer is the more agreeable avenue. Surely if God calls a man to start a church, then God’s intent is for that ministry to flourish in prosperous longevity. If He calls one to begin an endeavor, then His intent is for it to be a smashing success. If God calls one to proclaim a message, then surely its delivery will be flawless and pure. Did He not tell us His plan for our lives was for prosperity (Jer 29:11)? So if circumstances become dark, we must call into question every instance where we thought we heard His voice.
But what a small vision we have for the workings of our amazing God. His ways are too high (Isa 55:9), and our vision is too short (Pro 20:24). What if He has a million purposes for a thing to be built... and then crumble? What if, at least in part, it is for the discipline of some of His people—to expose their corrupt hearts, their hunger for power, and their trust in men over God? What if I am led into a valley like silver being plunged into the refiner’s fire?
“Bless our God, O peoples;
let the sound of his praise be heard,
who has kept our soul among the living
and has not let our feet slip.
For you, O God, have tested us;
you have tried us as silver is tried.
You brought us into the net;
you laid a crushing burden on our backs;
you let men ride over our heads;
we went through fire and through water;
yet you have brought us out to a place of abundance.”
–Psalm 66:8-12
Yet as soon as I get entangled in a net, I panic and start looking for the enemy. As soon as I get burned, I retreat and resolve to stay far from that place. As soon as I feel the water rising above my ankles, I run back to shore as if God has abandoned me to ruin.
Consider that by His command the disciples are sent into the storm (Mat 14:22; Mark 4:35), where their boat takes a beating (Mat 14:24) and becomes swamped by waves (Mark 4:37). But His purpose is not to drown us as we might accuse (Mark 4:38), but rather to expose our lack of faith (Mat 14:27,31; Mark 4:40) and give us a greater glimpse of His majesty (Mark 4:41) as we experience the awesomeness of His power to hold us up over the waves (Mat 14:31).
This should bring us immense comfort. For the trouble that comes our way is not Satan thwarting God’s good plans, but God using Satan FOR His plans (Gen 50:20; Job 1-2; 42:2). If our LORD finds it necessary to take us down a difficult road, it is for our good (Rom 8:28).
Now notice that is NOT the “valley of death” where our good Shepherd leads us, but merely the valley of its shadow. A shadow can do us no real harm (Luke 21:19), and neither can a storm sink our boat if the LORD is in it (Mat 8:23). Death has been defeated by The King (1Co 15:25-26), and we are covered in His conquering blood (Rev 12:11).
So know this—walking by faith does not mean we avoid dark times. Quite the opposite. He will not lead us astray, but He will also not take us around difficult obstacles purposed for our good and sanctification (Rom 8:28-30). For how can we battle if we are never exposed to the war? How can we conquer, unless we are engaged in the struggle? How can we place our hope COMPLETELY upon Christ (1Pe 1:13) unless we despair of all other things?
I wonder if many of us (especially in the American church) are doing it all wrong. We live comfortable lives and face very little opposition. Like the church at Laodicea, we think we are in need of nothing. But in truth, we are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked (Rev 3:14-22). We think our lack of persecution is because we are blessed to be in a favorable land. And so when discomfort enters our lives, we are quick to accuse God of unfaithfulness. But what if in truth we are like infant Israel in Egypt, our faith compromised by idolatry (Jos 24:14); the true God and His glory a forgotten thing of the past (Exo 3:13); His promises (Gen 15:13-14; ex: Mat 7:13-23; John 6:53-54; Rev 1-3)—not even a thought. We say we love Jesus, but our lives demonstrate we love wealth, politicians, sports, and leisure far more (Rev 2:4).
If the valley of the shadow of death is foreign to us, perhaps we are not following the Good Shepherd (John 10:11). For the LORD is not just God of the mountains, but the valleys also (1Ki 20:23,28). And it is there that God determines us to do battle (1Sa 17:3,48-51) with the true enemy (Eph 6:12).
So let us see God’s marvelous movements. Let the complexity of His sovereignty humble our hearts and encourage us to confidently ask, “What are you teaching ME here in this moment?”
And in those times where we are sifted and our faith falters (Luke 22:31), let us keep our eyes upon Christ and HIS faithfulness (Heb 12:2). For HIS promised prayers (Rom 8:34) are ALWAYS powerful and effective (Jam 5:16), ensuring that those who are truly His (John 6:37) WILL stand (Luke 22:32) and come out the other end of the valley strengthened and refined (Jam 1:2-3).
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