Psalms 23: The Valley of the Shadow of Death

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. - Psalms 23:4

There are so many ways to walk through the "Valley of the shadow of death" .  Sometimes it happens when we're going through a prolonged and possibly fatal illness.  It may be as we sit by the bedside of a loved one who is taking their last breath.  It may even be when events recall past hurts and we experience the sorrow anew as if it were for the first time.  At all of these times, we have God with us and his rod and staff to comfort us. 

Shepherds use the staff for guiding the animals or for drawing the sheep to the shepherd with the crook of the staff.. The rod which is made out of a heavier, sturdier piece of wood is useful for training the animal and for defending the animals from any predators. 

Even in our darkest valleys, we have God's guidance.  We have his rod drawing us to him and his staff correcting us and defending us.  If we can learn to truly trust God as David did and look to him when we walk through any dark period, we will fear no evil.