The Valley

Psalm 23:4 

ven though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, 

I fear no evil, for You are with me; 

Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. 

“From a shepherd’s point of view, this statement marks the halfway stage in the Psalm. It is as though up to this point the sheep has been boasting to its unfortunate neighbor across the fence about the excellent care it received from its owner… Now it turns to address the shepherd directly. (Keller, p. 97)

The shepherds life entails two seasons, the winder in at the home range and the summer in the mountains. But in order to get up into the mountains, you must navigate the valleys. The valleys could be beautiful with abundant water and grass but could also be dangerous with flash floods and predators lurking from the overlooking hills, sudden blizzards and rock falls. But the shepherd had been this way before and had cleared a safe path, even “through the valley of the shadow of death.” The mountain lions could threaten, but the shepherd was ready to defend his flock. And is important that it says “walk through”. It about dying in the valley, but in going through the valleys to get to the lush pastures in the high table lands. It may seem tough in the valley, but higher ground is coming.

“As Christians we will sooner or later discover that it is in the flays of our lives that we find refreshment from God Himself. It is not until we have walked with Him through some very deep troubles that we discover He can lead us to find our refreshment in Him right in the midst of our difficulty.” (p. 103)

It is those who have been through the valley with the master can comfort and encourage others who are going through hard times.

“I know with surety that only through them (valleys) can I possibly travel on to higher ground in God.” (Keller, p. 109)

 A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23, by W. Phillip Keller