Psalm 23:4
I may walk through valleys as dark as death,
but I won’t be afraid.
You are with me, and your shepherd’s rod
makes me feel safe.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
My husband and I took a walk one recent evening, shortly before dusk. There is a hiking trail near our house, with an access road for vehicular traffic that runs parallel to it. We have hiked the trail, but most of the time we take the access road. The trail runs underneath the side of a tall bluff and is steep in spots, rocky - and in certain areas – fairly dark. At one end of the trail, there is also an observation deck.
As we approached the overlook, we encountered a family… a father, mother, pre-teen and toddler. We said “Hello,” and the parents asked if the access road would take them back to the Visitor Center, where we assumed they had parked their car. We detected a foreign accent… perhaps German…and we decided maybe they were tourists. My husband and I pointed in the direction we were walking and gestured for them to follow us. But they were still taking in the view from the overlook, and as we trekked ahead at a steady gait, we lost sight of the group.
By the time we got to the Visitor Center, it was starting to get dark… and cold… and we could not see this family. We both agreed that surely they took the access road and had not gotten back on the trail. And soon enough, as we circled back to head home, we met all four of them walking toward us. We had been fairly certain the clan was safe. But I have to tell you, I wasn’t relishing the thought of a night-time rescue mission on that cold, precipitous hiking trail!
Isn’t it wonderful to know that God is always with us? Even when we set out on unknown trails in the dark, He is there to guide our steps. Just as this verse says…the mere thought of our Shepherd’s strong hook at the ready - should we need protection - gives us comfort. We truly have nothing to fear. The image of the strength and power of God combined with His incredible love and gentle care for us gives me goose bumps! NO ONE ELSE can do this for us! There is no other who can provide us with all of these things in anything near the measures that God does.
The next time you walk through a valley as dark as death - and you will - think about this scripture passage. Remind yourself WHO is walking alongside you. Picture God shielding and guiding you with one arm… fighting off your enemies with a shepherd’s rod in His other hand. It’s a powerful image… and He’s a powerful God. Do you recognize His presence by your side? Isn’t it time you did?
©2013 Debbie Robus
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