The valley may be darkened but your presence Lord…

Psalm 23 has long been a favourite for many folks, and rightly so. Written many centuries ago it speaks of both human experience and of faith. False religion will always say to the world; ‘fear not, trust in God and he will see that none of the things you fear will happen to you’. The writer of this psalm remind us that true faith in Christ would say to us all; ‘fear not, the things you are afraid of are quite likely to happen to you – but they are nothing to be afraid of for I am with you, even until the end of the age!’

Fear is often our most pressing adversary! Fear roots us to the spot, it stops us from encountering the amazing world we live in and is used by so many to keep distrust and enmity between humanity – difference is to be feared we are told rather than rejoiced in, celebrated even! Just how mind boring the world would be if we all looked and felt the same.

Jesus knows that fear is the enemy and so he greats us with the words ‘do not be afraid, peace be with you’. His promise is to be with us, through his Spirit, each day, in every way – but we do have to be open to that presence; like a plug in a socket has to be switched on for the current to flow.

Emerging from Covid lock down will come with many fears for some folks; maybe for you personally. FEAR NOT, PEACE BE WITH YOU! The valley may be darkened but he is with us and will be through all things even until the end of the age.

And, if you find you are not fearful, maybe you could draw alongside those who do and bring the peace of Christ to them!