"Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death" - Psalms 23:4

"Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death" Psalms 23:4

The whole tone of the 23rd Psalm changes in verse 4. So far, David has talked about happy places like green pastures, still waters and paths of righteousness. Now, without warning, the conversation turns dark and there is talk about death and shadowy evil.

Why the gloom?

Well, this is just like real life, isn't it? Isn't it true that as humans we bounce from one extreme to the other? Happiness and joy at one moment and then sorrow and despair the next?

There is a running joke about the weather in almost every place that I go. I know you’ve heard it. They tell that joke in your state, too. "If you don't like the weather here, just wait 15 minutes."

Welcome to life in general. We live in a world where we can be skipping like a little child one minute and then crying tears of sorrow the next. This is what real life is like. God never promises us that we will never have anything go wrong in our lives. Living through the dark times is a part of life here on earth. It is during these times that we learn about ourselves but, more importantly, this is where we learn to lean most heavily on our God.

For the Christian, it's not about avoiding hard times. It’s about how we get through them. We know tough times will come. What makes life work for us is that we have someone who has promised to be there with us when we walk down that trail.

That brings comfort to me, knowing that I am not alone in the darkness. God knows, He cares and He understands my pain and fear. He is in it with me.

Matthew 28:20

“...and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”