Traveling through Valleys

Even though I walk through the darkest valley, 
I will fear no evil, for you are with me.

Psalm 23:4

 Dear Lord,

My journey with you has been my delight. You have been my companion, my wisdom, my joy... You have been my teacher and trainer. As my teacher, you have revealed to me your character and ways. As I reflect on my past, I realize that most often I grew in strength and knowledge of your character as you and I traveled through valleys of difficulty.

As I traveled through the valley of grief, I came to know you as Comforter. As I traveled through the valley of difficult relationships, I experienced your unfailing love. As I journeyed through the valley of the impossible, I learned to trust that in you and through you all things are possible. (Matthew 19:26).

You used valleys to teach David aspects of your character that he otherwise wouldn’t have known. As David defeated Goliath in the Valley of Elah, he came to know you as Lord Almighty. (I Samuel 17) As David passed through the valley of the shadow of death, he came to intimately know you as Shepherd. (Psalm 23) Later, as David stumbled into the valley of sin, he came to know you as Forgiver and Cleanser. (Psalm 51)

And so, Lord, if there are aspects of your character that can only be revealed in the valleys, then lead me to the valleys. Use those valleys to refine me and make me more like you. Use those valleys to strengthen my knowledge of you, my faith in you, and my dependence upon you.

Lord, I don’t want to waste any valleys that lie ahead. Shift my eyes from the difficulty, so I don’t miss what you want to teach me. Keep my eyes on you and cause your glory to be seen through me. Amen.

Jan Burkhart