April 25, 2018
What to Remember in a Valley
Remember I’m not alone – God is with me!
“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me.” I want you to take your pen and circle the word “through.” That’s a very important word. You walk “through” the valley, you don’t set up camp. It’s temporary. And while you’re there, you’re never alone. “I will fear no evil, for You are with me.”
And I want you to think about the word “shadow.” “The shadow of death.” I’ve stood at the bedside of people in their final moments. I’ve seen that shadow pass over a place. I’ve seen that shadow pass over a person. And one day that shadow is going to pass over you.
Do you know what I’ve learned? A shadow can’t hurt you. Have you ever been run over by the shadow of a truck? There’s a big difference between getting run over by a real truck and getting run over by the shadow of a truck. A shadow can’t hurt you.
But here’s the most important thing that I’ve learned: There cannot be a shadow without a light. A shadow is irrefutable evidence … that there is a light present. How do you deal with your fear? Every time you get afraid, turn your back on the shadow and look for the light. Jesus said, “I am the Light of the World! He who believes in Me will never walk in the darkness.”
Whenever you’re scared by the shadows in your life, stop focusing on all that stuff that scares you to death – those bills, those fears, those worries. Get your focus off your fear and get your focus on your Father!
Bottom line: When you’re going through a tunnel, how do you make it through the tunnel? You keep your eyes on the light at the end of the tunnel and you just keep going. God is saying to you, “Just remember, you’re not going through this by yourself. You may not be able to see Me, but I’m there.” God says “When you go through deep waters and great trouble, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown! When you walk through the fire and the heat is on, you will not be burned up!” (Isaiah 43:2)
Bottom line: When you’re going through a tunnel, how do you make it through the tunnel? You keep your eyes on the light at the end of the tunnel and you just keep going. God is saying to you, “Just remember, you’re not going through this by yourself. You may not be able to see Me, but I’m there.” God says “When you go through deep waters and great trouble, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown! When you walk through the fire and the heat is on, you will not be burned up!” (Isaiah 43:2)
I don’t know what valley you’re in today, but I know the antidote. When I’m in the valley … when I’m in the struggle … I need to remember I’m not alone – God is with me!