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This week's focus: Peace

While visiting Israel, the tour guide pointed to a valley between two hills not far from the Sea of Galilee. He said, “That could be the valley David spoke about when he penned the 23rd Psalm. ‘Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me.’”

With no place to hide while traveling through an exposed valley surrounded by high ground, David relied on God’s presence and protection. I love that he wrote “the valley of the shadow of death” rather than “the valley of death.” As a child of God, he must have understood what many of us forget—that shadows have no power. A shadow can’t block our path, cause physical harm, or overpower us because it has no substance. A shadow isn’t tangible but is cast by something that is. This Psalm is incredibly comforting, considering what Jesus did for us on the cross. Our Great Shepherd faced the tangible reality of death so we wouldn’t have to. Because of His victory, we face only the shadow of death. For those who belong to Jesus, our lives are eternally secure with Him.

We will all walk through dark valleys on our journey home. However, we don’t have to be covered in the shadow of despair, confusion, depression, or fear because faith isn’t afraid of the dark. When we allow God to be our refuge, He draws us close and hides in the shadow of His wings. Despite what our eyes may see, we can confidently say, “I will not fear, for You are with me.”

by: Jennifer McAlister, Communications, My Faith Votes