“Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I wil fear no evil, for you are with me, your rod and staff, they comfort me” ( Psalm 23:4)
A valley is one of those contours common to the planet earth. Valleys come normally 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.
Travelers, particular those 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. And why? 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 we are in a valley we should not be troubled because that is when we raise our eyes to God. Surrounded by unfamiliar horizons let us 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 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 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!
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02/05/2024 - 03/05/2024 All day“That is why for Christ’s sake I delight in weakness, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when am weak, then I am strong” (2 Cor 12:10)
We all crave to be blessed in life. But was there a believer who was so blessed beyond any circumstances without experiencing some sort of discomfort, in one way or another! A person may apparently be blessed in every single way yet have one troubling matter that constantly drives him down to his knees.
The one mightily blessed with riches may have a family situation that leaves him ever on edge. Someone who seems to be at the height of his profession may be living with an ailment that keeps him ever on tentacles. The one blessed with abundant health might from time to time be dealing with financial woes.
Why do such troubling situations plague even believers? One explanation could be found in the Apostle Paul’s life. Called into ministry and endowed with many gifts, including amazing revelations from above, yet he had a matter that constantly drove him on his knees. “Therefore in order to keep me from being conceited, I was given a thorn in the flesh, a messenger from Satan, to torment me” (2 Cor 12: 7).
Paul would often cry out to God to free him of this particularly troubling matter. But the Lord came back with, “My grace is sufficient for you. For my power is made perfect in your weakness” (2 Cor 12: 9).
The comfort of this lesson is that God is completely aware of whatever might be ever troubling us. Moreover, it could be purposely there, that we constantly place our faith in Him, other than relying on our strength and resources, especially as He blesses us in other uplifting ways.
Prayer for today: Lord Father in heaven, today I pray that whatever matter is constantly troubling me, I know it is for a purpose and you are in total control, to bless me even more, this I pray in Jesus’ name.
