Hello siblings
Have you ever traveled through a valley or a low spot before? What was it like? Did you have time to be afraid, or were you focused on completing the journey? Whatever your response, you are not alone, as David assures us in Today’s Holy Nougat.
Psalms 23:4 NIV
[4] Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
You, God, are With Us
Let’s allow that phrase to sink in and fully register in our systems.
Our God is with us
On the mountaintops, over the plains, even in the deepest valley, YHWH is with us. Yes, YHWH. Our IAM God, Who had neither beginning nor end, our caretaking Shepherd, Who will leave the 99 to rescue each of us in our distress, accompanies us along life’s journey. As IAM, YHWH fills many roles. David spoke to provision, accommodation, guide, restoration, chef, priest, healing, protection, and even promotion. These aren’t all that YHWH does for us, but the roles assure us that God’s got us covered every step of our journey.
Self-Check
Which role do we need God to cover at this point in our lives?
Digging Deeper
Now, it’s important to realise that although we’re led beside dangerous waters, God does not promise that danger won’t be lurking somewhere.
When the waters are troubled, YHWH guides us upstream
When we get tired, YHWH restores
When we are lost, YHWH leads us to the right path
When we hit that rut, the deep curve … YHWH is still present.
Isn’t it interesting that in the dark valleys, YHWH isn’t depicted as carrying the Light. And before you tell me, ‘God is the Light’, please note that that’s not David’s focus. Where shadows lurk, and death is an ever-present threat; YHWH offers comfort, correction, and transformation.
Do we need the light in the darkness – sometimes. Because in some valleys, light makes us targets for predators. What we need is an expert guide, one who knows the terrain and is able to navigate us through the rough paths. Not only will the rod and staff be used for our benefit, offering us something on which to lean, but they are steadying tools on uneven terrain, so they also secure the shepherd. We know God doesn’t need steadying, but those implements offer us the security that God knows what God is doing.
Since we’re not valley experts, neither in the day nor the darkest night, let’s trust our shepherd to take control. We can lean on God.
Point to Ponder
In our valley moments, let’s lean on God’s rod and staff, instead of searching for the light.
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May all we seek be found in Christ
