It's probably one of the most read portions of the Bible. Psalm 23, also known as "the Shepherd's Psalm," is one of the most well know of King David's songs.
David, being a former shepherd, wrote about what he knew: a shepherd leading his dumb sheep. Only this time, it's David who's wearing the wool coat. Which is fair. God is the shepherd; we are the sheep.
In the psalm, David writes about safe and restful places that God leads him to. The green pastures and quiet waters sound pretty nice, don't they. Positively restful. Like the picture at the top of the post, right? It appears to be quite an idillic oasis nestled in the midst of natural fortress. Perfect for a shepherd to rest... right?
But what if it rains?
What you see in the picture is called a wadi. Basically it translates to "valley," but may be a dry riverbed. Usually in the desert anywhere with water is prized. But wadis can be very dangerous due to the very thing that makes them a haven: water.
Two words: flash flood.
"Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death," (Psalm 23:4a)
If you are standing in the lowest point of a wadi, especially one with steep sides, and it starts raining very heavily, it is not a question of sink or swim. You won't have time to swim.
The valley David writes about is not a literal one, though I have no doubt he dealt with the dangers of wadis in the rainy season. No, David's "valley of death" is life.
Our life can be seen as a journey. There are parts of our journey that looks like the "easy road," so we take it. It has plenty of cool water and shade and looks like exactly what God wants for us. Then we look up and see the hills. They looks a little rocky, and getting to them will be difficult, but we might be able to see where we're going from there.
Beyond the hills, we can see storm clouds.
If we stay in the valley, we could drown. If we try to climb to reach the hills, we might give up because it's too hard.
We feel trapped. And maybe we are. Trapped by our own doing.
"I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me." (Psalm 23:4b)
"I lift my eyes to the hills - where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth." (Psalm 121:1-2)
In the study, practice, and ministry of faith, there are times we label as "mountain top experiences." These are the "good times" with God. The times when His will is clear, or we are in close fellowship with fellow believers. They are times when our faith is energized and recharged. Times when we realize that our struggling and toiling on our own was foolish and we should have gone to our Father at the first sign of trouble.
We long for these mountain top moments. We chase after them sometimes. But we cannot stay on the mountain. Peter tried that at the Transfiguration. But the point was not to stay and "hang out" with Jesus on the mountain. The disciples had to descend into the valley so that they could find the sheep that have gone astray.
God needs us in the valley, because that is where the work is. But that doesn't mean that is where we are supposed to stay. The clear water and green pastures God is leading us to is not in the valley, or even on the ridges and hills we can see. No, God is leading us to a high plateau far from the valleys. First seen on this earth as the bedrock threshing floor Solomon built the Temple on, then finalized here as a spiritual plateau we journey to each week in worship. But even this is a mere rest stop on our journey. No, the peaceful place the Good Shepherd is leading us to is not on this earth, but our Father's mansion. Our home: heaven.
While the valleys we travel through are still dangerous and tiring, we can hold our heads high, knowing that while we are not home yet, the Shepherd will see us safely there.
So don't fret about the valleys. God holds the high ground.
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