God, the Shepherd in the Shadow
Scripture Reading — Psalm 23:1-6
Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me.
In some translations of the Bible, the “darkest valley” in Psalm 23:4 is called “the valley of the shadow of death.” Regardless of the translation, the idea of a shadow-cast valley can be frightening. This imagery can remind us of a traumatic loss or a difficult crisis, and our memories of such things can be fearful and frightening.
I recall a conversation I had with a widow not long after her spouse of nearly 60 years had passed away. While sitting at her kitchen table, surrounded by photos and stories of their life together, she shared with me her insight on Psalm 23. She spoke about the “valley of the shadow of death,” and how dark it can be when mourning the loss of a loved one. She talked about how quiet and still the house had become; how hard it was to stay in a home filled with memories. It was heartbreaking to hear, yet she also shared a glimpse of hope she had discovered while traveling through that valley. The only way for a shadow to exist, she said, is for a source of light to be present. A shadow is not the absence of light, but rather the evidence of a light nearby. She also noted that the greater the source of light, the smaller the shadow that is cast.
Friends, I pray that whatever valley you may be in today or at some other time, the light of Christ may shine bigger and brighter—and that he may be the source of your strength.
Lord of light, shine your mercy and love into our darkest valleys, guiding us always to keep our eyes and hearts on you. Amen.
About the author — Ben McKnight
Ben McKnight was born and raised in the West Michigan area. He has been married to Kayla for 14 years and has been a dad to Leo for almost five years. After graduating from Calvin Theological Seminary in 2017, he served as a pastor in Grant, Michigan, until spring 2021. He then served as a chaplain for a year at a local retirement community, and then with ReFrame Ministries’ advancement team. In spring 2024 he transitioned and began serving as the pastor of a church in Cedar Springs, Michigan.
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