Day 28 – Walking Through

When you and I are facing valleys, we can have confidence that the Good Shepherd will guide us all the way through. “Even though I walk through the darkest valley” (Psalm 23:4).

“But, God, why through the valley? I want to ascend to the heights. I want to be climb to the mountain top. I want to press on to higher ground. Why must I travel through the valley?”

God says: “Very simply, my child. The easiest way to climb a mountain is to walk through the valley. Every mountain has its valleys. The sides of every mountain are shaped by ravines and gulches and crevices. The best route to the top is through the valley.”

You reach the higher places of Christian maturity not on the playground of prosperity, but in the school of suffering.

But walking through a dark, shadowy valley is tough. A dark valley of disappointment, discouragement, dilemma, darkness, distress, difficulty, desperation, danger, disaster, death.

The valley floor may be covered in dark shadows. Trees blotting out the sunlight. The sun seldom reaching the bottom of the valley except for a few hours at noon. The dark valley seems all gloom and doom. It makes you shiver.

But walking through these valleys is the easiest and best way to higher ground. The Lord assures us again through the prophet Isaiah:

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze (Isaiah 43:2).

The Lord will guide you and me all the way through every valley! “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me.”

This is God’s Word for you today,
Pastor Dave