1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. 3 He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever. —Psalm 23:1-6
1. Dark valleys are
33 I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you WILL HAVE many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world. —John 16:33
2. Dark valleys are
45 …For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. —Matthew 5:45
3. Dark valleys are
10 In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation. —1 Peter 5:10
12 Rejoice in our confident hope. BE PATIENT IN TROUBLE, and keep on praying. —Romans 12:12
4. Dark valleys have a
6 So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while. 7 These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world. —1 Peter 1:6-7
a. Every problem has a purpose
b. Faith is built in the valleys of life
1. Refuse to be discouraged
4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I WILL FEAR NO EVIL… —Psalm 23:4
2. Rely on God’s
4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for YOU ARE WITH ME… —Psalm 23:4
Never let the presence of a storm cause you to doubt the presence of God. - Craig Groeschel
11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep. 12 A hired hand will run when he sees a wolf coming. He will abandon the sheep because they don’t belong to him and he isn’t their shepherd. And so the wolf attacks them and scatters the flock. 13 The hired hand runs away because he’s working only for the money and doesn’t really care about the sheep. 14 “I am the good shepherd; I know my own sheep, and they know me. —John 10:11-14
3. Rely on God’s
4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; YOUR ROD and YOUR STAFF, THEY COMFORT ME. —Psalm 23:4
27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me, 29 for my Father has given them to me, and he is more powerful than anyone else. —John 10:27-29