Scripture: Psalm 23

I. The LORD leads me into valleys of deep darkness.

A. There is an alternative translation of David’s song that is found in the footnote of verse 4 which reads, “the valley of deep darkness.” What kind of danger would a sheep face in a valley of deep darkness? Enemies could ambush the sheep from higher ground. Darkness in your life does not mean that you have left the paths of righteousness. You are still on the right path. Even if you are facing the darkness of sorrow or fear or danger or distress, the LORD still leads you.

B. When we go through a dark valley, God wants us to learn that we don’t have to be afraid because God is always with us. Jesus our good shepherd said in Matthew 28:20: “And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” There is a second thing Jesus wants us to learn in a dark valley. It is only by going through a valley of deep darkness with Jesus that our faith in Jesus can grow. And this faith in Jesus is more precious than gold.

II. The LORD leads me into death.

A. The darkest shadow we will face in life is, of course, the valley of the shadow of death. Jesus our shepherd does not just lead us to places of peace and tranquility. The reality is this: we’re all dying. We are always in the presence of death. But since Jesus is my shepherd, I walk THROUGH the valley of the shadow of death. I don’t stay in that valley. With Jesus my shepherd I walk through death and out the other side into paradise.

III. The LORD leads me through providence.

A. What exactly is providence? The Heidelberg catechism answers, “Providence is the almighty and ever present power of God by which he upholds, as with his hand, heaven and earth and all creatures, and so rules them that leaf and blade, rain and drought, fruitful and lean years, food and drink, health and sickness, prosperity and poverty – all things, in fact, come to us not by chance but from his fatherly hand.”

B. By his providence then God will sometimes lead me as His sheep into a valley. God is in charge of everything. Acts 2:23: “This Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men.” But the end of our story in the valley as God’s sheep is found in Joseph’s words in Genesis 50:20: “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.”

Application:
Trust Jesus in your valley because glory always follows suffering for His sheep.
Sources:
The Bible
Commentaries by David Gibson, Christopher Ash, James Hamilton Jr. & Derek Kidner.

Sermon Discussion Questions

1. Where did God lead David in vs. 4? Does it surprise you that sometimes God leads you into deep darkness? Why would He do that?
2. In what ways are we in the presence of death every day? Why is it good news that our shepherd Jesus has already experienced death as He leads us?
3. How much of this world is in the hand of God’s providence? What is God able to do with the evil that happens to us?