Psalm 23:4

In the previous verse, David expressed his confidence that the Lord, his shepherd, would lead him in right paths. Now he declares that one of those right paths is the dark valley.

It isn’t a mistake when we face times of loss, illness and bereavement. The dark times are part of the life of faith and, because our shepherd knows that to be the case, he is there beside us on the journey. It is significant that David moves from talking about the shepherd to addressing him directly. He doesn’t merely rejoice that the Lord is with him but says: “you are close beside me. Your rod and staff protect me” (my emphasis).

Passing through dark valleys is an inevitable part of being alive. It is vital that we know that our shepherd is there to accompany, protect and strengthen us. He is our companion on the road and has exactly the right equipment. The shepherd’s rod was a cudgel attached to his belt with which to fight off predators. And the staff – or shepherd’s crook – would help direct the sheep and reach them when they got stuck. Amid all the challenges and traumas of life, we can be sure that the Lord is perfectly equipped to accompany us and lead us through.

How terrible it must be for those who look to the future without a shepherd to guide them. They will not avoid the dark valleys but, as they face them, they will be on their own. This psalm should not merely cause us to rejoice in the privilege of knowing that the Lord is our shepherd, but deepen our desire to commend him to others, too.

Question
In what ways have you found the Lord to be your shepherd?

Prayer
Lord God, I thank you that you are always beside me and that you will lead me through every challenge and difficulty that I face. Amen

Released on 4 Feb 2024