THE VALLEY

PASTOR RYAN LADEN – DEVOTIONALS

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In verse four of Psalm 23 we hear this line, “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”

Truth

Before we get into the meaning of this powerful statement, I want to acknowledge the truth that is found in this idea. I have been (and in some ways am still) in the dark valley of life. As a follower of the Great Shepherd, I have stepped into impenetrable darkness as I have sought to follow in the footsteps of the Lord as he leads me. 

I have listened to the voice of the Lord calling me forward only to enter into the painful unknown. In these dark times, I have faced real enemies, people who want to do me harm. I have been attacked in these dark valleys and I have struggled to get back up after being knocked down in these places. 

Near

But in all of these hard situations, I can say that the Lord has never stopped leading me and guiding me forward. In these times of uncertainty and pain, the Lord has been near to me, as a shepherd is near to his flock in times of attack. 

He has defended me and protected me in ways that I still cannot fully understand or articulate, but I have felt his covering and care. 

Move on

There is one last thing I want to share about these times of darkness. The Lord has never allowed me to stay in them. The Great Shepherd might lead me into times of testing and trial, but I do not face them alone, and I do not stay in them longer than the Lord determines. The Great Shepherd moves me forward, prodding me until I get up and follow his voice out of the valley. 

I cannot say enough about the way the Lord leads us in these times of deep darkness. Let’s listen to how this truth is presented again in Psalm 23: 

1 The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, 3 he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.  4 Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6 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.

(Psalm 23:1-6 NIV11)

Shadow of Death

Most of the time we translate verse 4 using the old King James version in mind. This version of this verse says, “Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death”.

That is a moving image that certainly hits home with a lot of people who feel themselves walking into times of mortal danger and struggle. But there is a problem with this idea of the valley of the shadow of death. 

Hebrew

The problem is that there is nothing in the Hebrew that signifies that we are walking near death. Instead, the word being used carries with it the meaning of deep darkness or gloom. The addition of the death imagery is not hard to understand however. 

We can all see the scene in our heads as we read this idea. 

A lone sheep wandering into a deep and sunless ravine with high walls on either side. Perhaps there is a tumbleweed blowing past and the sounds of a jackal snarling off in the distance. Sounds dangerous and scary.

Leadership

But if we are going to be true to the message of scripture, we must change the way we read this passage. It is not about death and dying but about the care and leadership of the shepherd during times of trial and hardship. 

The sheep that listen to the call of the Shepherd will at times be led by the Shepherd into unfamiliar and unknowable situations. The sheep will not understand why they are being taken out of one pasture and led through the darkness until they finally emerge on the other side and see how the Shepherd has provided. 

Reflection

•   Are you in a time of dark and scary shadow?
•   Can you identify with the sheep who trust the voice of the Shepherd but who are still made nervous and anxious by all the shadows and sounds around them?

Reflect on this truth today:

•   The Lord is moving you through this valley.
•   You cannot and will not stay in this time of uncertainty if you keep listening for the voice of your Great Shepherd. 
•   God knows right where you are and he knows exactly where he is leading you. 

Trust in the guidance and leadership of the Lord today. 

In Christ, 

Ryan Laden

PASTOR RYAN LADEN

Works at MTN. CHURCH

Former Senior pastor at Warnbro Community Church

Studies at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary

Studied at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary

Studied at Baylor University

Studied at Texas Tech University

Went to Castle Hills First Baptist

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