The dark.
Most of us have been afraid of it at one time or another. Can you relate?
Darkness was something I wanted no part of as a kid. If my mom told me to go turn off the lights in a room, I would do it as quickly as possible so I wouldn’t have to spend any more time than needed in the dark – and this often led to me running into things!
Have you ever wondered why we get so scared of the dark? The darkness itself isn't scary. I think what's scary is what the darkness may mask - the unknown - and the vulnerability we feel in that uncertainty.
Right now the world is in a form of darkness. We don’t know what the future may hold due to COVID 19. Some people have lost jobs, or may lose jobs, and so they worry about provision. Others may fear if they will even be around when all this is over. We are in a darkness and it feels like we are vulnerable.
But there is HOPE in ALL of this. Why? Because there is one who walks with us in this darkness!
Psalm 23:1-4
“The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing…
Even though I walk through the darkest valley,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”
Here, the psalmist says that even if it is the darkest valley that he has to go through, even if there are many dangers and evils that he cannot see, he will not be afraid. Why? Because God is his shepherd, his personal leader and guide. I am glad to say God still sees in the darkness. He sees the dangers behind, around, and ahead of us, and He will not leave us alone!
Here's the thing. God doesn’t promise to take us out of the dark valley, but He does promise to be there and guide us through it.
So allow these verses to comfort for you. If you're in a dark valley - you aren’t sure about your future, your health, your finances - take courage and know that God has not left you and He sees and holds your future!
Much love,
Nelson