Opening Prayer: Thank you, Lord God, that you are always with us, even in the valley of the shadow of death. Thank you that we need not fear evil for your rod and your staff will comfort us.
Scripture: Psalm 23:4
Journal: How has God grown you as a result of making you go through the valley of the shadow of death rather than around it?
Reflection: “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me. Your rod and your staff, they comfort me?” (Ps. 23:4) As much as we all would like to go around the valley of the shadow of death, that is not usually God’s way. We must go through it, at least at some point in our lives. Probably repeatedly. That is because going through the valley of the shadow produces things in us that going around it simply cannot.
We might think that the point of life is success
and ease and comfort, and our strategy may be to avoid as much pain and
discomfort as we possibly can. But ease
and comfort provide little food in the journey of sanctification—of us becoming
all God intended us to be. In fact, they
actually work against growth and formation.
God grows and forms us by allowing us the gift of going through the valley
of the shadow of death. It is in that
place where God does some of his very best work. It is death that produces new life. It is in the valley where we learn
dependence, reliance, obedience, humility, perseverance, and surrender.
So next time you find yourself in the
valley of the shadow of death, do not fear.
Do not think that God has abandoned you.
Do not try to immediately get yourself out of it. Instead, embrace it; there is much to learn
there. For a wise and wonderful saint
once said: “There’s no way out, only through.”
Pray
Closing Prayer: Lord, when I am going through the valley of the shadow of death help me not to fear or doubt or get angry but help me to trust. Help me to trust in your power, to trust in your care, and to trust in your love. You are with me in ways that I cannot fully know of explain.
