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.  Psalm 23:4

I am leaving my meditations on I John for a bit.

These days I have been soaking in the truths of Psalm 23 – the lush meadows, the refreshing waters, the protection of the Good Shepherd.  All is well.  Wonderful.  But, then what?

For our welfare we need to go to another meadow, a higher one, perhaps, not necessarily of our own choosing, but our Shepherd knows we need to move to new pastures.  We need new pastures where the old becomes new, where we can find nourishment and rest for our souls.  That means that we must pass through scary or demanding transitions, from where we are now to new pastures for our welfare and for the benefit of the Shepherd.

A person very near to us is just now in transition from the familiar to the unknown. The person has experienced God’s blessing for many, many years in more or less the same meadow.  Now, horrors, the person must pass through the valleys and perils to get to the new meadow that is unfamiliar and daunting.  It is not an easy time; in fact, it is more demanding by far than continuing as is.

The Psalmist describes it as passing through “the darkest valley.”  It is dark indeed.  Enemies lie in wait to catch you, to break your faith in your Shepherd.  It is a moment of weakness that is like despair. Furthermore, we walk alone, the path is so narrow.  It is one of the greatest challenges in our walk with Christ.  All believers experience this at times.

Such crucial times can weaken our faith or strengthen it. Blessed is the person who depends on the shepherd with all his heart, soul and mind as he takes one small step after another, in the dark!  The way is not clear, dangers lurk in the shadows.  The secret is to trust the shepherd.  “I will fear no evil, for you are with me.”

With fullness of faith we lift our heads, in the dark, and listen to the loving voice of the Shepherd, “Come higher.”  Then move on!