Walking with the Shepherd

“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.”
— Psalm 23:4 (ESV)

1. God’s Presence in the Dark

David didn’t say, “If I walk through the valley.” He said, “Even though I walk through the valley.” Valleys are inevitable — but so is the Shepherd’s presence. Notice that the verse shifts from talking about God (“He leads me… He restores my soul”) to talking to God (“You are with me”). When the path gets dark, faith becomes personal. The Shepherd doesn’t shout instructions from a distance; He walks right beside you.

When fear says, “You’re all alone,” the Shepherd quietly answers, “No, you’re not.”

2. Keep Walking

David says, “Even though I walk through…” The valley is not a place to pitch your tent or give up the journey. It’s a passage, not a permanent address. When pain lingers and the night feels endless, it’s easy to stop moving — emotionally, spiritually, even physically. But faith keeps walking. Sometimes that means one step of obedience at a time. Sometimes you have just enough strength to pray, “Lord, help me make it through today.”

Don’t stop in the valley. Don’t camp in the shadows. Keep walking — because your Shepherd is leading you somewhere better.

3. You Can Get Through It

The sheep who depends on the Shepherd can say, “Even though I walk through the valley…”. The promise of Psalm 23:4 is not that we’ll never face valleys — it’s that we won’t have to face them alone. And we won’t have to stay there forever. The same Shepherd who leads you beside still waters will also lead you through the darkest valley. With His rod and His staff (His power and His guidance) He will protect, correct, and comfort you. The valley may feel endless, but it has an exit. You can get through it, and on the other side, there is light, rest, and restoration.

Are you in a dark valley? You don’t have to fear it, stop in it, or live in it. With the Shepherd, you can walk through it.