The Lord is My Shepherd

“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me”

We all go through difficult times. The author of the Psalm 23 speaks of “the valley of the shadow of death” to depict an experience of extreme peril, anxiety and sorrow. The only hope comes after these few words; “I will fear no evil for you are with me”. What a contrast with the previous words. It’s only the presence of God that enables the psalmist to say these words : I fear nothing…

In my life, I experienced a time as if I was in the “valley of the shadow of death”. For 6 years, I had a sudden burn-out and couldn’t work during months, suffering of depression. I lost nearly all I had: my home as I had to leave to rest at my mother’s in another city, my children as they stayed with their father even if I saw them from time to time. I couldn’t sleep any more without tablet, I felt like being in the darkness (“valley of the shadow of death”) and I had no zest for life anymore. But in the darkness, there were like little points of light, and it made the difference. This light was the Lord and I stuck to Him. I prayed, read the Bible and before all I sung and praised Him a lot. Gradually, God led me out of the tunnel I was in.

I experienced the faithfulness of the Lord as I was back to work after 9 months, then back to the region my children lived after 17 months, then back to my home after 3 years. I have got my sleep back, and was freed from depression and anxiety.

The Lord Jesus, as the good shepherd, led me through this time of darkness until his light illuminated everything. He used people as my mother or sisters of the Church, he used situations, and he used His word to lead me through. I knew I wouldn’t leave me or abandon me because it’s a promise of the Lord: “I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee”.
And this promise is not only beautiful words but it is real as God works in our lives and work out miracles and restoration.

Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.
Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. 9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

This text from Philippians speaks of revival:
– Revival of our emotions Verse 4. the Lord enables us to be joyful.
– Revival of our faith verse 6, being confident in the Lord and praying Him for all situations
– Revival of our thinking, focusing our thoughts on what is good, taking care of the “garden of our thoughts”
– Revival of our actions, through putting the Word into practice

The result is fantastic: peace in our mind and heart, even when we go through the valley of the shadow of death.

Amélie Mambou