Lessons from David | The Darkest Valley

Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no danger because you are with me. Your rod and your staff—they protect me.

Psalm 23:4 (CEB)

Psalm 23 is often read at funerals, so we think it's about death. But it's really about living through danger. It's about walking through dark valleys and facing real threats. And notice that this psalm doesn't say we won't have to walk through dark valleys. It doesn't promise that we'll avoid danger. It doesn't guarantee that we'll never face anything scary.

Instead, it says, "Even when I walk through the darkest valley..." In other words, dark valleys are part of the journey. Danger is something we'll all face. There's no way around it. But here's the key: We don't walk through alone. And that’s why David could say, “I fear no danger.”

That's a bold statement, isn't it? "I fear no danger." Most of us would have a hard time saying that honestly. We're afraid of lots of things. Afraid of what the doctor might find. Afraid of what will happen if we lose our job. Afraid of what the future holds. Afraid that we won't be able to handle what we're facing.

So how could David say "I fear no danger"? Was he just naturally brave? Was he lying? Was he in denial about how dangerous the valley actually was?

No. Look at why David could say this: "because you are with me." David's lack of fear wasn't based on the absence of danger. The valley was still dark. The threats were still real. But David wasn't afraid because he wasn't alone. God was with him.

The psalmist mentions God's rod and staff. These were the tools shepherds used. The rod was for defense, to fight off predators. The staff was for guidance, to gently direct the sheep. So when the psalmist says "Your rod and your staff—they protect me," he's saying that God both defends us from danger and guides us through it. 

And that's why we don't have to be afraid. Not because the valley isn't dark. Not because the danger isn't real. But because God is with us, defending us and guiding us through whatever we're facing.

So if you're in a dark valley right now, this psalm has something to say to you. It doesn't promise the valley will disappear. It doesn't guarantee the danger will go away. But it does promise that you don't have to walk through it alone.

God is with you. Right now. In this valley. In this darkness. In this danger. God's rod and staff are protecting you. God is defending you and guiding you. God is with you in this valley, and God will walk with you all the way through it.

So you don't have to wait until you're out of the valley to trust God. You don't have to wait until the danger passes to believe God is with you. You can trust him right now, in the middle of the darkness, that he's walking with you.

Prayer

God, I'm in a dark valley right now. And honestly? I'm afraid. This feels overwhelming. The danger feels real. The darkness feels suffocating. But this psalm reminds me that I don't have to walk through this alone. You're with me. Your rod and staff are protecting me. You're defending me and guiding me through this valley. Help me to trust that, even when I can't see the way forward. Help me to believe that you're with me, even in the darkest moments. And help me to keep walking, knowing that I'm walking through this valley, not staying in it forever. Amen.