Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me;
Psalm 23:4a (ESV)
The Shepherd is leading me in paths of righteousness, and this conjures up an image of peace and tranquility in my mind. These paths of righteousness always seem to bring a picture of a mountaintop view and experience. Then verse four follows and rightly corrects my misunderstanding and reminds me that the paths of righteousness are for the name of Christ. And being that these paths are to shape and mold me to be more like my Savior, then I must necessarily walk through the valley beside the mountain where the deep darkness lies. A deep darkness where evil and death lurk. The deep darkness of the valley, which will inevitably bring about a sense of fear and trembling into my heart. Yet, the psalmist proclaims that he will not fear this deep darkness in the valley because his Good Shepherd is with him. His Shepherd is leading him in paths of righteousness that go through the valley of the deep darkness. The Shepherd has designed that he and the psalmist walk through this valley together. And as long as the Shepherd is there with him, the psalmist has no need to fear as he travels.
Whenever I read and meditate on Psalm 23, I find that I tend to split it into two sections. Verses 1-3 as the happy section and verses 4-6 as the difficult section. When I do this, I miss some of the specialness and joy that comes from verses 1-3. It is because my Savior is the Good Shepherd and is leading me to all these good places (not being in want, making me lie down, bringing me to still waters, walking paths of righteousness) that I am now prepared and ready for the trip through the valley of the shadow where the deep darkness lies.
The valley is not some wrong turn that I made, and I have somehow gotten off the path of righteousness that my Shepherd is leading me along. It is true that the consequences of my sinful choices and actions necessarily bring me to the valley of the shadow, but my Shepherd is still leading me through. It is comforting to read that the verse does not say that he walks into the valley of the shadow without any form of resolution. The psalmist is mindful enough to encourage us that though I am walking in the valley of the shadow, the Good Shepherd will bring me through to the other side. There is always hope with my ever present Shepherd Savior.
It is in the valley where the deep darkness lies that fear is most easily manifest in my life. The path through the valley is difficult. The shadows of darkness are often deep and discouraging. The walk through the valley is never ever easy. The psalmist never declares that the path will be without danger. He is upfront about the danger involved. This is the shadow of death. This is where evil and danger lurk. It is a path filled with all kinds of evil and wickedness hidden alongside. The path through the valley of the shadow is dangerous. Yet, the psalmist says that he will not fear.
He will not fear because the Good Shepherd is there with him. He is not just walking alongside the psalmist, he is leading him through the valley of the shadow. There is no danger or evil lurking in the shadow that will escape the notice of the Good Shepherd. This is why the psalmist says that he will not fear. It is not a wishful kind of fearlessness. A fearlessness that pretends that the evil is not there and therefore cannot harm. It is a fearless trust in the Shepherd who leads. A trust which knows that the evil lurking in the shadows is always obedient to the Good Shepherd and cannot accost the psalmist without the knowledge and permission of the Shepherd.
This fearlessness is not a hope in the lack of pain and suffering that might come from the walk through the valley of shadow. No, it is a fearlessness that comes with the knowledge that even in the pain and suffering that may come as I walk through the valley of the shadow, Jesus is with me. I will not fear the evil that lurks or even attacks, because I am not alone. I am with my loving Savior, and this is the path of righteousness that will conform and transform me to be more like him. He is with me. We walk through this valley together. He is in me and I am in him. My Good Shepherd experiences the path through the valley of the shadow with me. I will not fear, for he is with me.
Lord, plant this truth deep within my heart. Let its roots dig deep into my soul. Let me always remember that Jesus is with me. He is there with me on the mountaintop. He is there with me on the green grasses. He is there with me beside still waters. He is even there when walking through the valley of the shadow. May my trust in him never waver or falter. May my heart yearn for Jesus in times filled with sunlit and happiness. May my heart cry out for Jesus in those times of darkness and despair. May I learn to be content and satisfied in Jesus no matter where the path leads in this life. All for His namesake.