The shepherd has to lead his sheep to higher grounds to find new green pastures. To get there he has to lead the sheep through the valley. Valleys in the Bible represent dark, difficult times of life. If you live long enough you will go through valleys. In order to get up high you have to start down low. In the valley there were many dangers.

1 – The Lord’s path through the valley (vs. 3)

It is the Lord’s path through the valley. He is still leading. He leads us through the valley. The shepherd knew the dangers of the valley. There were robbers and wild animals. There were many places for dangers to hide. Sudden storms could cause dangerous floods. The valley can come suddenly.

Valleys can be depressing to experience. One thing happens and suddenly you are in a valley. David knew what it was like. See Psalm 18:1-7. The valley can be a place of terrible loneliness, pain and misery. You may be in the valley right now.

2 – The Lord’s purpose for the valley (vs. 4)

Does the Lord do anything without a purpose? The Lord is still leading in the valley. God has always got a plan. It may be something that we do not understand. When the shepherd goes down into the valley, he knows the dangers involved. God wants to plant our feet on higher ground.

The valley is a passageway rather than a destination. We are to walk “through” the valley. We are on our way through to higher ground but we must pass through the valley. We must learn to appreciate the valley experiences. We must endure them – thinking of the future. After the valley there will be some great green grass to munch on!

We grow spiritually in the valley. Your muscles are built to be used. Our bodies were designed for motion. Spiritually we need to flex our faith. When we strain our faith then it grows. We are not strained on the hills. We are strained in the valley. No one likes to go through a valley but you can learn to appreciate the value of going through a valley. It is when we grow that we produce spiritual fruit – love, patience, etc.

We have to accept the valley. “Yes, though I walk…” David had accepted the valley in his life. It was not when will I get out of the valley but what will I get out of the valley. Can you accept the burdens along with the blessings? There has to be rest for your spiritual muscles to grow. It takes the rest and the work for muscles to grow. The body was built to move.

David learned the value of the valley. We all know the value of the victory but do we know the value of the valley? Anybody can praise the Lord when they experience victory. Real spiritual maturity comes when you can praise the Lord in the valley. It is in the valley that we produce spiritual fruit. The shepherd led us into the valley and he will lead us out.

3 – The Lord’s presence in the valley

When you get into a valley you are not alone. “Thou art with me”. It is not I think/might/hope/pray you are with me. David knew it. God did not bring us into the valley to leave us there. You can still have joy, peace and praise the Lord, while IN the valley.

God’s presence is close. Instead of “he” it is “you”. Instead of talking about the shepherd he is talking to the shepherd. When you get in the valley, you will now the close presence of God.

God’s presence is calming. David would not fear any evil. He is not panicking. The shadow of death cannot hurt you. God will take care of you.

God is not like a superman. He does not have a weakness. There is no Kryptonite that can hurt our God. God is all powerful and we need his presence when we go through the valley. Can you think of anyone else who is stronger or more loving?

Categories: Psalms