God's Answer to Dark Valleys

Pastor Gary's Sermon today from his series on Psalm 23

God's Answer to Dark Valleys

Psalm 23:4 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.

James 1:2-4 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

The way of spiritual maturity is through trials. Too often we want the results of verse 4, without what verse 2 promises us.

We live in a world dominated by sin. Yet in that world we're being made into the image of Christ. We will face trials that are unique to each one of us, and they happen when we are overcome and defeated by life. These Dark Valleys can be illustrated by the poem "A Psalm From A Hotel Room" by Joseph Bayly.

I’m alone Lord
alone
a thousand miles from home.
There’s no one here who knows my name
except the clerk
and he spelled it wrong
no one to eat dinner with
laugh at my jokes
listen to my gripes
be happy with me about what happened today
and say that’s great.
No one cares.
There’s just this lousy bed
and slush in the street outside
between the buildings.
I feel sorry for myself
and I’ve plenty of reason
to. Maybe I ought to say
I’m on top of it
praise the Lord
things are great
but they’re not.
Tonight
it’s all
gray slush

In the midst of Dark Valleys, remember...

1. Valleys are inevitable
Our Lord even promises that "in this world you will have trouble". Sometimes these valleys pile up upon one another. The prophet Jeremiah mourned that "disaster follows disaster" (4:20). (Katie's personal note: I once heard a speaker say "We've signed up to follow the religion of a guy who ended up having the crowds turn on him and crucify him. We shouldn't be expecting easy")

2. Valleys are unpredictable
Valleys always seem to happen at the wrong time. But think about it this way - is there ever a right time to have a flat tire?

3. Valleys are impartial
No one gets a free pass through life. Whether you are good or bad, Christian or not, bad things will happen. No one is isolated. In Matthew 5 Jesus says that rain falls on both the just and the unjust. They too often we only want the sunny days and not the ones that come with rain. We expect only good times - why else when something happens is our knee-jerk reaction to say "why me?" Do you really think you are exempt from the pain that everyone else has to face? Instead we should be saying "why not me?".

4. Valleys are temporary

1 Peter 1:6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.

David says that he walks through the valley. It is not a permanent thing. One day we will end up in heaven. The pain can be productive if it causes us to give God our attention.

5. Valleys are intentional

1 Peter 1:7 These have come so that your faith - of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire - may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.

God has a reason behind the trials that we face. Faith isn't built on the mountaintop. The trials drive us to our knees. Even Jesus faced trials. God is just, and in addition to that, He can and will use evil that is done to us to make something good.

In the midst of Dark Valleys, respond by...

1. Refusing to be discouraged

We are to walk through the valley of the shadow of death. It does not say run. To walk through is to calmly make steps. We do not need to be afraid. To be afraid, or to not be afraid, that's a choice that we make. The key to that choice is the companion that walks with you through the valleys of life.

2. Remembering that God is with you

It is at this point in the psalm when the tone switches. Instead of referring to God in the third person, David now speaks of Him using the 2nd person - "you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me". The trials bring us much closer to God than we were before they hit. We need to remember to focus on God's power, not our problem. In Isaiah 43:2 He promises that "When you pass through the water, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze." We all remember the story of Peter trying to walk on the water (Matt 14). It's when he starts to focus on something other than Jesus that he becomes afraid and starts to sink.

Colossians 1:11 ..being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience...

Psalm 34:18 The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

3. Relying upon God's protection and guidance

The image used in this passage is of a rod and staff of a shepherd. The rod is used to defend us (the sheep), His protection is active and vigilant. The staff is used to give guidance and comfort.

Psalm 34:19 A righteous man may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all



John 16:33 - I (Jesus) have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.

God's answer to Dark Valleys in your life is Him!