Walking in God’s Protective Light
By Jessica Van Roekel
“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. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” - Psalm 23:4-6 ESV
As a child, I remember the overwhelming sense of watching light be exchanged for darkness, driving through a tunnel that seemed endless. The rock walls cast eerie shadows as the headlights tried to pierce all the way through the darkness, but they would only reach so far before the blackness swallowed the light. I kept my eyes on the end of the tunnel where the speck of light grew bigger and bigger and breathed a sigh of relief when we drove out of the tunnel and back into the light.
Journeying through life can feel like taking a long road trip over hills and through valleys, around and through mountains on a narrow two-lane road. There are no side roads or alternate routes, just one way through. Along the way, we may stop to take in a vista and marvel at the beauty of what God has done. Perhaps we are forced to pull over because of a blown tire to repair. After each pause, we return to the road and our journey, never knowing what’s around the next corner.
Following Jesus doesn’t equate to a trouble-free life. The Bible doesn’t say a blessed life is a difficulty-free life. In John 16:33, Jesus said to take heart because we will have trouble in this world, and that we have the promise (in Psalm 23:4-6) of God’s presence. He is with us in every season, joy, sorrow, and hardship.
The shadow of death may look like unanswered prayers, disappointment, discouragement, persecution, or depression. In those moments, we can find comfort in God’s presence and protection. He is with us, so we don’t need to fear abandonment. It’s tempting to believe God says, “I’ll see you on the other side,” and then leaves us to walk through the dark tunnel alone. In reality, he stays by our side.
We discover our greatest comfort in God’s presence. He walks beside us. He goes before us and beckons us onward. He comes behind us and protects us. His rod symbolizes his strength, power, and authority. He strengthens us through the shadows, empowers us to walk through trials, and has the ultimate authority over what we encounter. His staff brings us close for comfort and rescues us from trouble. We can be reassured of God’s love and guidance, and we trust him to bring us through the darkness into the light once again.
God cares for the needs of his children and is bigger than any force which conspires against us. There is an enemy wanting to destroy our soul and an ungodly society surrounding us, yet God sustains us in every way. He sets a bountiful table of his joy, peace, goodness, and hope in the presence of our enemies. He gives us everything we need to live and enjoy his presence. Because of his presence throughout our life journey, we will receive his comfort, guidance, and help.
We may face a dark tunnel, but Jesus is our light. He stays with us and gives us the courage to walk into the valley of the shadow of death. No matter what happens, we can trust the Good Shepherd to work through our circumstances for his good and his glory. We shine in the darkness because of his presence. Our steps of faith are guided by his hand, and we can trust his heart toward us.
Intersecting faith and life:
If you find yourself in the darkest of places, remember that God is right beside you. He longs to comfort you with his presence. Fix your eyes on him, let him help you hold sorrow and joy, and trust him to bring you through. Baby steps of faith grow into steady faithful strides. Stay close to him and let his light guide you.
Further Reading:
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