Today's inspiration comes from:
|
|
|
|
Today's inspiration comes from:
|
|
|
|
We humans have a tendency to hide, shame, numb, doomscroll, binge, wallow, and hyper-fixate when we go through tough times. We indulge our addictions, exhibit toxic behaviors, and experience hopelessness. But God is different from us, thankfully. He doesn’t flee, fret, forsake, or forget about us when we decide to crash out instead of run to Him. He remains, He soothes, He draws near, and He leads us to the other end of the tunnel where light is beaming through. He doesn’t see our mess and scoff at our flaws; He heals us and deals with us gently and graciously.
As a fellow human being who is also on this side of Heaven, I know what it looks like to suffer, to sin, to be struck by the lowest of blows in life, and for it to feel overwhelming, unfair, and poorly timed. That’s why I want to introduce you to Psalm 23. I encourage you to pause and read through this entire psalm before continuing.
Verse 4 of Psalm 23 reads,
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me. — ESV
Let’s reflect on the first two words: Even though. The author of this psalm, King David, used language that acknowledges hardships will come. He wrote that even though he knew he would endure the valley of the shadow of death, he would have no fear because of the unwavering and faithful presence of God in his life. But what exactly is the valley?
According to Scripture, valleys symbolize places of hardship, trials, and dependency on God, as well as preparation and spiritual growth. The valley can seem like a lowly place, a hopeless pit at times, and even a deeply distressing season. But God, our Good Shepherd, has not abandoned us to wander the valley by ourselves. We are protected by a good, present, and just Shepherd who goes after the wolves and lions who seek to devour His lambs.
God binds up the wounds we’ve been dealt, places us on His shoulders, and carries us to safety and rest. Our Good Shepherd steps in to save us and preserve our lives from peril.
Jesus made it clear in John 10:10 that His mission is to bring us abundant life, not to steal, kill, or destroy us. He wants to restore what feels broken, bruised, dead, and defeated.
|
|
|
God binds up the wounds we’ve been dealt, places us on His shoulders, and carries us to safety and rest.
|
God binds up the wounds we’ve been dealt, places us on His shoulders, and carries us to safety and rest.
|
|
|
The valley is a place of hardship, as we just discussed, but it is also a place full of fruit. Time and time again, the Bible is clear that valleys have significant spiritual symbolism. It is not a place we are placed in vain, but a place of value for God’s people! Take the Valley of Baka, a once dry and barren place some Bible translations call a “weeping valley,” which was turned into a place of springs and refreshment by God for His people (Psalm 84:5–7). Or the Valley of Berakah, where God brought a miraculous victory to Jehoshaphat’s army where they had expected defeat (2 Chronicles 20:22–26). The valleys God brings His people through are paved with purpose when He is the One leading the way. There is a pattern of preparation, testing, and dependency when it comes to God’s people passing through the valleys, but that doesn’t mean they are void of God’s goodness and companionship. No, the valley highlights and magnifies God’s presence and provision!
Valleys, although refining, are where we get planted, tilled, pruned, and nurtured so that we have the necessary fruit for whatever mountain lies ahead. This is why they are such a vital part of the journey God is bringing us on. I get that it’s not the most fun place to be, but those mountaintop moments don’t last either. What does last is the fruit that endures from the valley in every season God leads us into, every battlefield He emboldens us to navigate, and every mountain He calls us to climb.
|
Our Good Shepherd knows the best spots for His sheep to dwell and dine, whether it is mountain-high for a time or valley-low for a season.
I know we think that the valley is the scariest place, probably because the valley of the shadow of death doesn’t sound like your top bucket-list vacation destination, but it is not a place we have to fear. God provides in the valley, prepares in the valley, and purifies in the valley. We get to encounter Him in some of the most significant ways as we pass through that place. We can have hope in this because He is with us (Psalm 23:4). He is our companion (Isaiah 43:2), our comforter (Isaiah 66:13), and our covering (Psalm 32:7) no matter where we go, and this includes the valley!
|
|
|
Are you in a valley right now? Don’t be afraid. The Lord is with you and He’s doing important work in this place and season. He will bind up your wounds, places you on His shoulders, and carries you to safety and rest. ~ Devotionals Daily
|
|
|
How God Weaves Redemption
into Every Season
|
|
|
+ Free shipping on $20+ with code SPRING20
|
It's easy to become overwhelmed by anxiety, loss, or disappointment, to think that your story is unravelling. What if your pain isn't pointless? What if God is just beginning to weave your new story through a challenging season?
In The Fabric of Hope, Kirby Kelly invites you into a deeply honest and faith-filled journey through suffering, healing, and redemption. With raw storytelling and biblical truth, she reveals how God is still working—even when life feels broken beyond repair.
Through powerful personal experiences and relatable metaphors, Kelly shows you how God can:
- Restore what feels shattered
- Bring purpose to your pain
- Meet you in grief, doubt, and unanswered questions
- Transform your story into something meaningful and beautiful
|
|
|
Through powerful personal experiences and relatable metaphors, Kelly shows you how God can:
- Restore what feels shattered
- Bring purpose to your pain
- Meet you in grief, doubt, and unanswered questions
- Transform your story into something meaningful and beautiful
|
|
|
You might also enjoy these...
|
+ Free shipping on $20+ with code SPRING20
|
|
|
What Happens Next Online Bible Study
by Max Lucado
|
What Happens Next
Online Bible Study
by Max Lucado
|
Are we living in the end times?
Join Max in the highly anticipated What Happens Next Online Bible Study and discover that for followers of Christ, the best is yet to come.
Sign up now for FREE and get access to all 6 study videos with Max, an online community of people going through the study with you, and bonus end times resources.
|
|
|
this devotion with someone who needs it today
|
|
|
*Sale price ends on 04/30/26 at 11:59 PM. Limited quantities available. FREE U.S. shipping on orders of $20 or more with code SPRING20 valid through 4/30/26 until 11:59pm ET, excluding Alaska and Hawaii.
|
|
|
|
No comments:
Post a Comment