Through the Valley Without Fear

What does it mean to walk through the valley of the shadow of death? Has the Shepherd become careless? Is He endangering His sheep? At this juncture the Psalm adopts a more intimate tone. It becomes more personal as the personal pronouns "I" and "You" enter the conversation. Philip Keller notes that here the sheep "address the shepherd directly. . . . It becomes a most intimate discourse of deep affection."

As sheep and shepherd move slowly along the paths, gradually working their way up the mountains into the high country, Keller continues, "During this time the flock is entirely alone with the shepherd. They are in intimate contact with him and under his most personal attention day and night. . . . [I]t is well to remember that all of this is done against the dramatic background of wild mountains, rushing rivers, alpine meadows, and high rangelands." To have the shepherd there must be very comforting to the sheep. Likewise, isn't it comforting to know that during our most challenging times of trials, disappointments, and distresses we have the personal attention of our Shepherd? David was very knowledgeable of the difficulties and dangers that had to be navigated on the walk into the high country. There was the danger of "floods, avalanches, rock slides, poisonous plants, the ravages of predators that raid the flock, or the awesome storms of sleet and hail and snow." He knew that the sheep was totally dependent on the shepherd and that the good shepherd would do everything in his power to care for and protect his flock. It was with that awareness and confidence in God's integrity that he was able to declare, "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me" (Psalm 23:4a, KJV).

Even though the paths are filled with dangers, the presence of the Shepherd instills a confidence that says, "You [my Shepherd] are with me, I will not fear." It is the same message of reassurance that Jesus gives to every believer, "I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you] (John 16:33, The Amplified). In other words, though you walk through the valley of the shadow of death, have perfect peace and confidence in me for I have overcome the world and as such it cannot conquer you. Of course, because He already overcame the world He would lead the way for us to follow in that victory.

Often times the enemy would have us believe that the things along our paths will be our undoing. That they would get the better of us leaving us utterly defeated. However, it is interesting to note that the Psalmist declares that he walks through this particular valley. In other words, no matter how rough things become he would not stop there nor would he die there, but that under the leading of his Shepherd he would walk it through to the other side.

Our valley experiences do not have to intimidate us and we do not have to be afraid of going through them. We are not alone neither are we ever alone. The LORD, our Shepherd, promises never to leave nor forsake us and so He is with us every step of the way.