“Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me, your rod and staff, they comfort me” – Psalm 23:4 (NIV).
A valley is one of those contours common to the planet earth. Valleys happen as a result of some shaking beneath the earth’s plates or, erosion from rains and floods, leaving a depressed area of land which is surrounded by the more elevated ones. In East Africa there is the famous Rift Valley which is a sunken expanse of land stretching along the borders.
Travellers, particularly if on foot, know the often frightening experience of going through a valley. One might have been passing through a stretch of land where the passage is smooth and everything pleasant to see. Then suddenly one descends into a valley. If you are not familiar with the path fear can grip you. Surrounded by more raised earth and seeming to go further down, you can be frightened of descending into the abyss. Valleys, unlike plains, may not offer that clear sunlight due to obstruction, are often dark and filled with dangerous traps.
Our lives too can find themselves in a valley. This can be after a comfortable walk through a more pleasant stretch. We then find ourselves in a valley, sometimes forced on us because of factors beyond us, like a pandemic, sweeping us suddenly to the bottom. Because they are unfamiliar and dark, valleys can shake anyone.
Now if you are in a valley do not be troubled because that is when to raise your eyes to God. Surrounded by unfamiliar horizons be inspired by David who declared that he would “fear no evil” in spite of being in the darkest valley “for your are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me” (verse 4).
Today whatever valley you may find yourself know that you will soon rise above and make it through. This is because, as David remembered well, “Surely your goodness and love will follow me, all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever” (verse 6).
Prayer for today: Lord father God of creation, today as I find myself going through the valley of life, I know your goodness is with me, because I am your child, and you shall lift me up, because you refresh my soul, and shall make me lie down in green pastures and lie besides quiet waters, for you love is ever with me!
Related upcoming events
-
06/05/2024 - 07/05/2024 All day“Do not confirm to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is- his good, pleasing and perfect will” (Romans 12:2)
Almost all cultivators are aware that if soils are used perpetually without rains but constantly under work they are deprived of all nutrients. So, though once productive, they lose all power to yield fresh crops as before. But so is our Christian life when we do not regularly feed our spirit life with the Word!
In our leading verse, the Apostle Paul is urging believers to “renew” their minds rather than make them stale, lest they end up losing all power to yield fruit. But how is this done? We renew our minds by constantly reading the Word of God, for there are always insights with God speaking to us afresh. Psalm 119:104-5 says, “I gain understanding from your precepts; therefore I hate every wrong path. Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” The Apostle Peter reminds us, “Like newborn babies hungry for milk, you should want the pure teaching that feeds your spirit. With it you can grow and be saved.” It is a beautiful illustration for any who have seen a hungry baby sucking the teats of a mother.
Renewing our minds is also by reading about the lives of people of faith who have walked before us and their created works. The Christian faith started in the first century after Jesus was crucified and resurrected from the dead. Now over two millenniums it has produced giants of faith who have shared their walk with God through inspired teachings that are a treasure to dig into. By scouring the writings of the great saints before us, listening to their recorded sermons, songs and preaching, which these days can be found on virtual medial channels like Yu tube, reading their biographies, our faith is renewed.
And then we also renew our faith through fellowship. When the Apostle Paul urges us, “not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching” ( Hebrews 10:25), he is reminding us that our faith cannot grow in isolation. During the Covid pandemic lockdown one bitter issue was denying Believers opportunity to meet fellow followers of Christ to share testimonies showing the work of God in their lives.
So today, if your faith is on a low keel, or you want it to flower, one thing you can’t help doing without is “renewing” your mind. The blessings to unfold are endless.
Prayer for today:Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, what a treasure we have of your rich Word to dig into always; books around us of faith to inspire us; and believers to share our faith- may we make use of these, this I pray in Jesus’ name.
