“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil; for thou art with me” (Ps 23:4).
The paths we must take are not always clear and obvious to us. Both in this sin-filled world and in our personal life and spiritual journey, there are those “valleys of the shadow of death” of which the Psalmist speaks. But our Father never leaves us helpless when we lift our eyes to Him. Faith and the confidence that comes from it help us not to be discouraged.
Let us think of the Son of God in that dark and painful hour in Gethsemane, when the disciples could not give Him the comfort and company He asked for because they themselves did not know how to endure that darkness (cf. Mt 26:38-45). But when our beloved Lord, united to the will of the Father, accepted for our sake the cross that awaited Him, He was not left helpless: an angel came down from heaven and strengthened Him, as the Scriptures tell us (Lk 22:43), and Jesus was able to fulfill His mission to the end.
This is what our Father has arranged for us when we follow the Lord. In the hours of deepest darkness and abandonment that can befall us, our Father always sends the angel of consolation and strength so that we can remain firm and not lose confidence.
Although our feelings may not perceive it, our Father is especially present in the “valleys of the shadow of death”. In those hours, whether we are crossing physical or spiritual valleys, He calls us to an act of faith. This will make us more mature and more grateful to the Lord, because we will experience more intensely than ever that “Thou art with me”.