Psalm 23:4 Walking Through the Valley

Keep Walking Through the Valley

Psalm 23:4

There is one word in Psalm 23:4 that has been on my heart lately: through.

David wrote:

“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me...” — Psalm 23:4 (KJV)

David did not say, “Though I live in the valley.” He did not say, “Though I am stuck in the valley.” He said, “Though I walk through the valley.”

I find a lot of encouragement in that.

All of us experience valleys. Sometimes they come through disappointment. Sometimes through the loss of someone we love. Sometimes through problems in our families, financial struggles, uncertainty about the future, or circumstances we never expected to face. And sometimes a valley lasts much longer than we thought it would.

When that happens, it can begin to feel like this is where we are going to stay. We can become discouraged. We can lose hope. We can even become so focused on the valley that we stop moving forward.

Sometimes We Get Stuck

I think there is a difference between being in a valley and becoming stuck in a valley.

When I become stuck, I start believing that nothing is going to change. I spend too much time looking backward and asking, “Why did this happen?” I worry about what might happen tomorrow. I allow fear and discouragement to convince me that where I am today is where I will always be. Maybe you have felt that way too.

But Psalm 23 reminds me that the valley is something I am supposed to walk through.

That doesn't mean I have to run through it. Some days I may only be able to take one small step. There may even be days when moving forward simply means trusting God enough to get through that day.But I want to keep walking.

What Keeps Me Walking?

The most important part of this verse isn't really the valley. It is the presence of the Shepherd. David tells us why he can keep walking:

“For thou art with me.” That changes everything.

David doesn't say that he isn't afraid because he knows exactly when the valley will end. He doesn't say he has all the answers. He doesn't even say that God immediately removes him from the valley. He says, “Thou art with me.” I need that reminder.

When I don't understand what God is doing, He is with me.

When I don't know what tomorrow holds, He is with me.

When I am tired, He is with me.

When the valley seems longer than I expected, He is still with me.

And because He is with me, I can take another step.

The Valley Is Not the Destination

Psalm 23 doesn't end in the valley.

David eventually says:

“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.” — Psalm 23:6

The valley was part of David's journey, but it wasn't his destination.

Maybe you are walking through a valley right now. I won't tell you that it is easy. I won't tell you how long it will last. But I will remind you of what I am reminding myself:

Keep walking.

You may be in the valley, but you don't have to make your home there. Take the next step. And when you wonder whether you have the strength to keep going, remember that you are not walking through it alone.

The Shepherd is with you.

And sometimes that is all we need to take one more step.