Yea, though I walk through the valley...

    What I realise and love about God and His Word is that there is always something to learn. You can take the same portion of Scripture and learn multiple things from it.
    I found myself revisiting Psalm 23, specifically verse 4: “Yea, 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.” It was during my morning devotion with God. He brought me to the point where He helped me realise that we don’t have to be stuck in the valley. According to the verse we are walking through the valley, not standing in one spot, we are actually moving through it. 
    The children of Israel were never stuck in the wilderness. They were actually on a journey to a specific destination - the Promised Land. Their journey was a difficult one filled with challenges and setbacks yet, no matter how many times they stopped to set up camp, God never allowed them to stay in one place indefinitely. They always moved on. 
    Sometimes it may feel as if we may never get to our destination. There may be so many setbacks, so many challenges, so many negative things coming our way to cause us to want to give up right where we are. Yet, we must keep going. While we are going through, we keep on trusting, keep on believing. The valley is never a place to stop but a place to pass through on our way to the other side.
    David also described this valley as the valley of the shadow of death. It never was a valley of death. According to the merriam-webster dictionary, a shadow is a reflected image, an imitation of something. It even describes it as an imperfect and faint representation. I like all those definitions, especially the last one because it is a reminder to me that it’s not the real thing, only its reflection. The reality is, it is just as intimidating and terrifying as the real thing. However, when God allows us to go through this valley, it is NOT to destroy us, it is NOT to kill us. We don’t have to die there! And, what’s more, God has promised to be right there with us! He is reminding us through this Psalm that we don’t have to be afraid - of the reflection or of the real thing! He is there to offer the comfort and the support we need.
    I am learning to thank God for these valleys in my life. They can be discouraging and even terrifying but God is always there. I am never alone. He never expects me to fight the battles that I face there on my own. He certainly doesn’t expect me to never reach my destination. As I learn to trust His guiding and His leading more and more, it gives me the confidence I need, to know that I am going to make it through whatever valley I traverse. And that’s my encouragement to you as well. God will guide you through safely. It may not feel that way many times, but TRUST in Him in key. As I like to say at times, it’s not about our ability but His. He will get you through the valley. He will help you make it through to the other side. It may not happen when you want it to, or even how you want it to, but it will happen and in His perfect timing.
    If you have not accepted Jesus Christ into your life as your personal Lord and Saviour, I invite you to do so now. Life is full of dangerous valleys but you don’t have to be stuck there. You can be confident of God’s constant presence guiding, leading, comforting and supporting you every step of the way. You are not alone. You will make it through!

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