“Even Though“
Written by: Shanique Edwards
Read: Psalm 23
“Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for You are with me” (Psalm 23:4a)
“Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil” …from my earliest memories of growing up in church, this verse was often the battle cry of the elders at prayer meetings. Hearing it so many times over the years, the profound strength of the words became a distant whisper. However, revisiting this verse on the cusp of a new year, it resounds as a new battle cry in the light of all that is to come throughout the year ahead. What a triumphant sound for the church to echo the boldness of this statement as we venture into a new year.
This verse is a part of the classic Psalm 23, the Lord is my Shepherd psalm. For believers, it is a sacred psalm that beautifully summarizes all the poignant aspects of God’s character. The psalmist illustrates how God, our Great Shepherd, provides for us, protects us, guides us, defends us and blesses us. The promises laid out in this psalm can all be held close to the believer’s heart. However, verse 4 holds one of the dearest promises of all – “for You are with me”. Life is filled with very dark valleys. As we sojourn through this upcoming year, we will continuously experience these dark moments sprinkled among the glorious ones. In those moments, we too can declare, “Even though I walk through the darkest valleys, I will fear no evil, for You are with me”. Even though we may face difficult circumstances; even though we may have to make difficult decisions; even though we may feel like we are walking aimlessly or blindly through; even though we are yet to fully see the light; even though we have yet to fully realize all that God has promised to us – even though, we will fear no evil, for we know God is with us, always and forever.
The subsequent verse tells us that God has a table prepared for us in the presence of our enemies. The table of our purpose and destiny has already been prepared for us by God. There is nothing that can alter what God has already prepared for us. Therefore, we can stand on two foundational truths when we consider what it means to fear no evil. Firstly, because God is with us through it all, we can be confident that the Lord has not lost sight of us as we navigate our dark valleys. Even though we may not see Him, He has never lost sight of us. Secondly and more importantly, He is the only one who can lead us through. Even though we may not see the light, He is light and in Him, there is no darkness at all (1 John 1:5). At the right moment, He will allow Himself to be revealed in our situations and illuminate our way through. God always stays true to His promises. I am confident that the believer who grasps hold of this truth as the rock on which they stand, will be able to victoriously testify that even though they may have walked through the darkest valley, they feared no evil, for God was with them through it all.
Reflection:
Take the time to boldly declare the verse aloud. Say it 3, even 4 times. Write it down in a highly visible place. How do you feel reciting these words? What emotions arise for you as you proclaim these words? What does it mean to you to be able to say aloud, “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for You are with me”?
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank You. Thank You for preparing us for all we need to weather the storms of life. Thank You for giving us the words necessary for us to be bold in the midst of uncertainty. As I navigate through a new year, may I boldly declare, in the wake of every day, that even though I may walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for You are with me. Even though I may not know what to do, where to go or how I will get through, I know that You are with me and that You will lead me. This is Your promise to me. You will never leave me nor forsake me. You are with me – always and forever. In Jesus’s name, Amen.
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