The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside still waters;
he restores my soul.
He leads me in right paths
for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk through the darkest valley,
I fear no evil;
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff—
they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord
my whole life long.
To my surprise and my joy, the Psalm for the fourth week of Lent is one of the most easily recognizable and most dear passages in all of scripture. We often read this text at funerals, where it towers as a source of comfort for those who are acutely experiencing grief. It expresses God’s constant, steady guidance in the midst of times that are trying and difficult to understand.
This week, the phrase “through the darkest valley” or “the valley of the shadow of death” (KJV), has taken on new meaning. Most times we read this and think of our own individual trials; this week, living with the imminent threat and rapid spread of the coronavirus, it has taken on a new, communal significance. We, at the recommendations of the CDC and every level of government, have closed our church building and have moved our worship services online. It is easy in these moments to feel isolated, alone, and afraid.
And yet it is precisely in the “darkest valley” where the Psalmist finds hope and comfort. Evil, fear, and times of trial, for the Psalmist, are fleeting and temporary. What endures is God and God’s goodness, no matter the moment, no matter the valley.
So let us continue to lean on and trust in the goodness of God in these times. And, strong in our faith, let us be courageous: Let us follow the insight and advice of our medical professionals, even if it is frightening, even if it feels counterintuitive. We do this now so that we all together might find those “green pastures” that the Psalmist describes. We do this now so that we might bring the care, comfort, and love of God to those in our population who are most vulnerable.
Even in this dark valley, we are guided by Christ, our good shepherd. Even apart, we are together, bound to one another in the Holy Spirit and in prayer.
And so, I leave you with two final thoughts. First, in this time of heightened anxiety, constantly remember God as the ultimate source of comfort. Listen and learn to the information that comes in, but remember that what is not reported on is the goodness of God, even and especially in dark valleys. Second, please reach out to one another in any way you can. We might not be able to gather in large groups, but we can still call, write, or text with words of encouragement and comfort. Words of kindness and thoughtful remembrance will make the days that we are apart much easier to bear.
The peace of Christ, which surpassess all understanding, be with you. In Christ,
Pastor James