“He guides me along the right paths
for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk
through the darkest valley….”
(Psalm 23:3-4a)
In recently studying Psalm 23, I was reminded that verses 3 and 4 provide a profound truth in their sequence. God guides us along right paths for His name’s sake; therefore, as we walk through the darkest valley, we need not fear any evil, for He is with us.
The notion of God guiding us along right paths for His name's sake and the notion of walking through the darkest valley are not mutually exclusive. In other words, sometimes the right path for the sake of God’s name is through the darkest valley. This truth was most clearly illuminated as Jesus went to the Cross. The darkest moment in all of history was the right path for His name’s sake, and it was undoubtedly for our good as well.
We can trust that what is best for God’s name’s sake is also best for us, even though the right path may also be, at times, the darkest valley. These are the moments when we’re invited to lean with all we are into God’s promise that He will never leave or forsake us (Joshua 1:5; Hebrews 13:5), and remember Jesus’ words to us:
“In this world you will have trouble.
But take heart!
I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33
~em
Comments