Do you know that God walks with us always?

It’s really dark this time of year. Early in the day. I’m sure that many of you go to work in the dark and drive home after work in the dark. I just want to hibernate sometimes and wake up when it’s light outside! Does your life feel like that at the moment? Like it’s a really long night with no sunrise in sight?

One of my most favorite psalms is Psalm 23. I’m sure that I’m not the only one that loves it. What draws me to it is the imagery. In the first verses, there are green pastures, still waters, and restoration of souls. This is very peaceful. Life is good. There is light. This may be a period of joy or a period of rest. It could even be your vision of what heaven may look like.

The next part mentions the valley of death. That’s a scary image, but it doesn’t say that I go alone. It reminds me that God walks with me, he is protecting me. It doesn’t say I don’t have to go through the scary times, we all have those. It says there is comfort even in the valley. If I had a choice, I would really like to skip the next scary thing that’s coming, but that’s not the deal. If fear keeps me from the valley, I can’t get to the peaceful place on the other side.

The other side of that valley/scary place is abundance, a banquet, my cup runs over and I dwell with the Lord forever. Haven’t you noticed that when you are coming out of something that there is more for you than you had before? I mean, it says that goodness and mercy will follow you. Wow. Sounds fantastic.

Do you believe this to be true? I can hear some of your doubt from here. It’s easy to ask where God is when you are going through something difficult. You think he has left, or you ask why. Did you ever think that it’s because you can’t get to the next place you are going without that experience?

It may not be comfortable or fun, but I can say from experience that what is coming is much better than where you are now. Sometimes you just have to wait it out and trust that God is working behind the scenes for your good. Take a look at whatever situation you are in and see if you can see it with God’s eyes. Maybe he isn’t granting that prayer because it’s not big enough, or it’s not what you really need.

Whatever your valley at the moment, trust that God’s got this.