Have you ever noticed that the dark isn’t as frightening when you have someone with you? Somehow that scary, pitch black basement, with the light switch at the bottom doesn’t affect you as much when you have someone with you, at least it doesn’t for me. I feel no shame in admitting that if the light switch is at the bottom of the basement stairs, I am not going down there alone. It seems that the darkness has an added sense of weight to it when you can’t see your hand in front of your face. The presence of another person provides comfort and a greater sense of safety, knowing that even though it is still dark, you aren’t walking alone.
This is the sentiment that I get verse four in Psalm 23. We don’t have to fear the dark or even what might be lurking in the dark because we are partnered up with Jesus. He goes with us as we walk by the quiet waters (vs 2) and as we carefully go through the darkest valley. We don’t need to fear because not only is He with us but he also protects us. Sometimes we can read this verse and think that by protection, it means that God will spare us from the darkness. Darkness can be the loss of a job or a family member, sickness or the feeling of your entire world crumbling all you and the enemy will try to use that to take your focus off the firm grip with which the Lord holds your hand. The Psalmist doesn’t say the Lord lights a torch so you can see, it says even in the darkness I will not fear because Jesus is right therewith me. His presence, even in the dark times can and will soothe and comfort our soul because we know He has overcome the darkness. Wherever we walk, whatever circumstances we face, we do not walk alone, Jesus is always right there with us providing the safety of His presence.
by Kalesha Peters
