Psalms 23:4 states, Yea thou I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil.
It’s the words I walk through the valley that catches my attention. I noticed something new hidden in this familiar scripture verse. Hidden smack dab in the middle of this scripture verse is a biblical view of conflict. I don’t want you to miss this either.
I have observed there are three types of people in life.
The Avoider: These are the people that run from their problems. Instead of walking through the valley they run away from it. They avoid it at all cost. They stay away from the valley. They never get to the other side.
The Camper: These are the people that camp out in the valley. These are the people that stay stuck in the valley of the shadow. These are the people who build a camp in the valley and take up residence there. They smell of problems, they constantly talk about their problems, they take the problem with them everywhere they go. They never get to the other side either.
The Walker: These are the people who face the valley and walk straight through it to the other side. They face it, but don’t stay camped out in the valley, nor do they run away from the valley. They put one foot in front of the other and walk right through the valley of the shadow. They make it to the other side.
I realize this is going to make 2/3 of you very uncomfortable. Sometimes we have to feel uncomfortable to get to the other side. At times God will allow us to feel uncomfortable to move us in the right direction. So stay with me here even if you are feeling like running away from this devotional.
I believe God wrote it this way to teach us something powerful. I believe through the writings of David God was trying to show us a biblical view of how to face problems or shall we say face the valley. David was a man that faced many problems in life. He found himself in the valley on many occasions. However he knew how to walk through the valley. I believe it’s biblical to face it and walk through it. If you run from the valley or camp out in the valley you never get to see whats on the other side of the valley. You will miss out on the good stuff waiting for you a few miles down the road. The only way to get to the other side is to walk through the valley of the shadow.
God want’s you to be victorious. God does not want you stuck or in avoidance miles away from your victory. If you are a runner I want to encourage you to go back to the valley and walk through it. Through the power of Jesus Christ you can cross the valley. If you are camped out in the valley I want to encourage you to pack up and start moving through the valley one step at a time. You can move out of the valley. You don’t have to live there permanently. Good things are waiting for you on the other side. I believe it actually takes longer to avoid the valley or camp out in the valley then it does to just simply walk through it. Remind yourself that the scripture says to walk through the valley of the shadow. I don’t know how I missed this for so many years. I don’t want you to miss this either. Put your shoes on, and start walking!!
Thank you! Aspire to be the third.
Tigerslippers, I believe you have the power to get there. Put your shoes on!! Thanks for taking time to read my devotional.
This was a great devotional! What an awesome reminder of this sentense in scripture that has so much meaning to a Christian’s walk. I guess I would say that I needed this encouragement to take one more step. I would add that sometimes the journey through the valley is long and weary. I am have been in the valley for 5 years in a particular area of my life. I have waivered from pure determination to get through this to periods of being comfortable in the valley. I know God is at work but I can’t help but wonder – when God, when.
I have been in the valley many times. Trust with blind faith and follow the hand and heart of God. Begin to declare out loud that you will make it to the other side of the valley. Your words can predict your future. None of us can do this on our own, but through the power of Jesus Christ we can walk forward. Be encouraged!!! Whatever you do don’t give up, don’t stop walking, don’t quit!!! Just take it one small step at a time. You’ll get there.