God's unwavering presence

"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." [Psalm 23:4]

When I accepted Christ as my Saviour, for a little while, it did create a false sense of security that life would we be all sunshine and roses. But I quickly realised that salvation doesn't mean the omission of evil and it doesn't guarantee a life without adversity, crisis or fear.

Sometimes life does leads us through dark places. In life, there are times when we are in the valley and our worst fears are in front of us and we can feel alone, hopeless and unsure of the next step to take.

Are you going through the valley?

Is it dark?

The only way out of the valley is to walk through it. We cannot dodge this path and its shadows.

God doesn't promise us we will have an easy path but He does promise He will be with us every step of the way.

Remember: God is with us; He can see what we cannot. We can trust Him in the most difficult and disappointing moments in our lives.

We don't even need to fear death, death has lost its sting, because we serve an eternal God, who loves us with an everlasting love. When we are in Christ, death is simply a graduation into His perfect presence. The valley of the shadow of death has nothing on God!

Not only is God with us in the valley, helping us to keep walking and facing what we might not be able to do alone, He has the tools to step in and help us:

"Your rod and your staff they comfort me."

David bases this description on the practices of shepherds in his day who commonly carried a rod and staff as essential to their work. Sheep are totally dependent on the shepherd for food, water, leadership and guidance as they move from place to place; just as we are dependent upon God, for all that we need. Sheep depend on the shepherd for protection from danger, just as we look to God as our Protector and Defender.

In John 10:11, Jesus reveals Himself to be the Good Shepherd of His people:

"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for his sheep."

Together, the rod and staff paint a picture of the divine Shepherd who wields them. He is strong, competent and trustworthy. He is present with His sheep, able to defend them, and watch over them through all the dangers they face. Sheep are notorious wanderers. Once away from their shepherd's watchful eye they get into all sort of trouble.

Knowing we have such a Shepherd who is ready to protect us from the dangers we face, keep us close and rescue us when we go astray, truly is a great comfort to us, His sheep.

As long as we are surrendered to Him, we can be sure He will keep us on the right path.

Whatever your valley, know God is with you. He is there, offering comfort, protection and peace.

How reassuring is that!