Even Though I Walk Through the Valley of the Shadow of Death

In sum, our resilience in the midst of trying circumstances, and troubling headlines at home and abroad, depends on our answer to the timeless question of the “or what.”

Consider Psalm 23, then, in relation to anxious and depressed American teenagers, and megalomaniacs, not to mention those who want to phase out terms like ‘Mom’ and ‘Dad’ in favor of inclusivity.

Yahweh is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness
for his name’s sake.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of Yahweh
forever.
– Psalm 23 (ESV)

If God is with us, who can oppose us and succeed? When we abide in Christ, we will fear no evil, since we know He works all things to the good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.

Thus no reversal of fortune is final. Whether driven by natural disasters, or economic forces well or poorly understood by the experts at the helm, or charlatans and predators of all stripes – the good shepherd will see us led beside still waters, and will restore our souls.

At a certain point, we must admit that “all we like sheep have gone astray.” And if that is the case, the next bit to figure out is who the good shepherd is, that we would be protected and led by him.

As Jesus says, “I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me,just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep.” (John 10:14-15)

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