The valley of the shadow

A dear friend of mine understands loss. When I met her years ago, her teenage son had been killed by a drunk driver. A month after his death, her husband informed her that he was leaving. This humble servant of the Lord was crushed by these tragedies but held on to her faith.

I just spoke to my friend. She said these words to me:

“The Word of God has become so real in my life. Passages of the Bible that meant little to me before now mean so much. Like the 23rd Psalm. It says, “Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me.” I now know that means that He will walk with me from one end of the valley to the other end, taking every step with me until the last step when I leave that valley.”

My friend also shared about the words “You restore my soul.”  She just finished holding her new grandchild in her arms. Though nothing can ever replace the tragic loss of her son, holding this grandbaby brought emotions she thought she would never have again.

He restores our souls. He restores what the locust has eaten. He creates rivers in our deserts and roadways in our wilderness experiences.

While we are still in the valley, we can be encouraged by the words of Corrie ten Boom. “There is no pit so deep that God’s love is not deeper still.”

Corrie also said, “Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.”

Isaiah 41:10 says, “Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with My victorious right hand.”

Do you know the words in the verse before it?

“For I have chosen you and I will not throw you away.”

The everlasting God truly loves us.

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