Food for ThoughtPsalm 23:4 Valley Walks
Food for Thought
An all-creatures.org Guide to Kingdom Living

By Marni Montanez

Psalm 23:4 New King James Version

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.

A valley is a low area of land between hills and mountains. David uses the analogy of a valley to describe what it is to be in an emotional or spiritual low place.

At times our Christian life is much like a valley.  We experience these seasons for a reason.  These are times that cause us to surrender to God in places we never were able to before.       

The writer acknowledges the times when he is feeling alone and uncertain.

Like many of us, he experienced darkness that was so oppressive it felt like death.

Sometimes on our journey we encounter moments or seasons of brooding (showing deep unhappiness of thought) or disquietness (a feeling of anxiety or worry) caused by the circumstances surrounding us and the struggle within us.  We may not understand what this is, but just like the author we can make a proclamation that we are not going to be afraid and choose to walk in faith. Faith is not a feeling.  We have the option of believing in a powerful God who created everything and who wants the best for us or we can fall under the deceptive canvas of the enemy and allow our dark times to be enmeshed with doubt and fear. The phrase, “I will not fear,” is a choice motivated by the truth David encountered each time he was met with challenges and it was in these moments God was always faithful to remain close and present.  

Deuteronomy 31:8 New King James Version

And the Lord, He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed.”

God proved His love for David by never abandoning him and turning him away from sin and bad choices; God’s rod and staff represent the tools needed to guide us and rescue us from the bad situations we find ourselves in.  These are comforting tools for those who desire God’s best and yearn to be close to Him.

Challenge:  When you go through those dark valleys search the scriptures for verses that remind you of God’s faithfulness to lead you through.

God bless,

Marni

Go on to: Psalm 23:5 My Cup Runs Over
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lamb-rightThe purpose of this series is to encourage people to live as loving, compassionate, and peacemaking children of God: Jesus tells us to pray, "Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven." (Matthew 6:10) God tells us through Micah (6:8), "He has told you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you But to do justice, to love kindness, And to walk humbly with your God." And we know from Revelation 21:4 that there will be no more mourning, or crying, or pain, or death. Thus, Christian living requires us to set the standards of these conditions here on earth for our fellow human beings, and for the other animals, as a witness to the rest of the world. To do otherwise is not Christian.