Because the Lord Is with Me
(Psalm 23:4-6)

Ever since Adam committed a sin, everyone’s life turned into walking through the darkest valley. In a world filled with thorns and thistles, every one of us leads a weary life with respective burdens. Even after we started believing in Christ Jesus, however, we sometimes find ourselves walking through the darkest valley.

1. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death
1) In the journey of our lives, sometimes we have a smooth and easy life. But we also travel the darkest valley at some point of our life. But we shall not be discouraged or lose our heart under any circumstances.
2) The Lord allows hardships to affect our lives for the benefit of us. In the course of overcoming the hardships, our faith becomes more strengthened and mature.

2. Because the Lord is with me
1) As a flock of sheep are not the only ones walking through the darkest valley but the shepherd is with them, we must realize that the Lord is with us as we are walking through the darkest valley.
2) The shepherd keeps the sheep away from death with his rod and staff. Christ Jesus, our shepherd, delivers us from sins, inequities, diseases, poverty and death through the Cross.

3. He leads me beside quite waters
1) The darkest valley does not last forever. As we continue our journey with the Lord’s guidance, we will come out of the valley and arrive in the green pastures and quiet waters at last.
2) We shall not be in want as the Lord is with us. We found the green pastures of righteousness, holiness, healing and good health, the blessings of Abraham and prosperity as well as resurrection and eternal life under the Cross.

Walking through the darkest valley is more like passing through a tunnel than a cave. Unlike a cave where there is no exit, there is an exit in a tunnel. Even though it is so dark inside the tunnel and it seems endless, we will eventually reach the exit if we never stop walking. And we will be marveled by the fact that, once we are out of the tunnel and look back, the tunnel itself was a short cut. Thanks to the tunnel, we were able to pass through a high and rocky mountain which would have been a lot more challenging if we had tried walk over the mountain. The hardships were, after all, permitted to us by the Lord for the good of us. No matter how long the road seems and how dark it is, take the step one by one in faith holding the hand of the Lord. Then, the Lord will guide you to the green pastures and quite waters.