Walking Through the Valley of the Shadow of Death

“Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil for you are with me.” (Psalm 23:4)

If there is one metaphor in scripture that aptly describes this season we find ourselves in, it’s “the valley of the shadow of death.” Every time I open up my news feed, I see the ever-growing numbers of infected and dead around our nation and world. The only number rising faster is the unemployment rate, as schools and businesses shut up shop for the duration of this pandemic. This cannot help but take a toll on us. In fact, last week, two people from my church community were hospitalized for chest-pains, only to find out that it wasn’t a heart attack, but rather anxiety-induced stress. We truly are walking through a dark valley shrouded in death.

Now, the very name suggests that these valleys are places that we never want to find ourselves, and yet there is a reason why the Good Shepherd would lead his flock through them. As we discussed in my previous post, sheep are habitual creatures and will remain in a familiar area even if the grass is gone and the water is polluted. So a good shepherd will often lead his sheep towards better grazing areas. And the valleys are the most natural passage ways from one grazing area to the next. After all, why pick your way along a rocky hilltop when you can walk through the valley?

But David’s description suggests that these valleys are not comfortable places for the sheep. Not only are the unfamiliar territory, but the shadows could be hiding deadly predators who are waiting to tear the sheep apart.

We, too, find ourselves in unfamiliar territory, and the constant barrage of news articles and social media posts warn us of a merciless virus prowling our streets, lurking on doorknobs and flat surfaces, and possibly even floating on the breeze. It’s no wonder we’re fearful.

When sheep find themselves in the dark valley, they have a couple choices: they can run from it, trying to get out of that place as quickly as possible, leaving the shepherd behind in their attempts to reach safety. Or they can draw closer to the shepherd’s side, finding their comfort and confidence in his presence.

In verse 4, David declares his choice: “though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for you are with me!” In other words, he trusts his shepherd more than he fears the lurking predators. And he knows that he is safest when he is close by his shepherd’s side.

We find ourselves in one of the darkest, most foreboding valleys in our lifetimes. We don’t know what tomorrow holds, let alone next month. And I suspect that many of us are tempted to bolt from this present reality. But while we don’t know where we’re headed, our Shepherd does, and He’s not afraid of COVID-19 or any other evil that stalks this sin-scarred planet.

So while this valley where we find ourselves is painful to be in – and it is – we are right where we need to be because our Shepherd is with us, and He knows where He’s taking us. So fear not, for you do not walk through this valley alone.

Father God, we confess that we are afraid. We don’t like being here in this dark valley, and we want to get out as quickly and painlessly as possible. And yet, as much as we fear this place, we trust you more. So we choose, here and now, to follow your lead and allow you to set the pace. We choose to remain at your side. Amen.