The right path

     Right now, I am working on memorizing Psalm 23.  It's a pretty well known passage of Scripture even among people who are not Christians.  Most people can quote parts, if not all, of it especially those who grew up in the church.  I have memorized this passage before, but I was recently asked to look it up in a different translation than I typically read and memorize that translation.
     This was something asked of me to help during a time of intense panic.  The panic I feel doesn't stay with me nonstop.  It comes and goes.  Sometimes I can see it coming, other times I'm caught off guard as something unexpected sets it off.  This last time, I was caught off guard.  Something I can't even quite put my finger on set me off, and I couldn't get my footing back for nearly a week.  In this time, I was asked to memorize this psalm to help put truth in to counteract the fears and panic I was drowning in.
     To be honest, I didn't like that advice.  It seemed too simple, too easy, too cliche in a way.  I went with it though, deciding to trust someone much wiser and more rational than myself.  I searched a few translations I wasn't familiar with before finding the Holman Christian Standard Bible translation.  I've heard of this one, but I had never really read it.  Here is Psalm 23 in HCSB.

Psalm 23

The Lord is my Shepherd; there is nothing I lack.
He lets me lie down in green pastures; He leads me besides quiet waters.
He renews my life;
He leads me along the right paths for His name's sake.
Even when I go through the darkest valley, I fear no danger, 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.
Only goodness and faithful love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord as long as I live.

     I am still working on memorizing this passage.  I'm currently about half way though it.  As I was reading, memorizing and thinking on these truths, I noticed something that really struck a cord in me.  Verse 3 says "He leads me along the right paths for His name's sake."  This comes after describing a time of rest and peace with green pastures for rest and a gentle stroll along quiet waters.  The imagery is beautiful, peaceful, restful.  I have often continued thinking of this rest as I read that He leads me along the right paths.  It just sounds sweet and pleasant.
     This time, though, I noticed what comes next.  "Even when I go through the darkest valley" follows this peaceful scene.  God will only lead me along the paths that are right, the paths that serve His kingdom purposes and bring glory and honor to His name.  There is no question that in life, we will go through the "darkest valley."  It is expected..."even when" rather than "even if."  The darkest valley is still the right path He is leading me along.  It may not, okay honestly it never is, the path I would choose, but it is the right path.
     When the path takes me into darkness, when I can't see where the path is taking me because I can't see in the dark, when the dark valley floods me with fear, I can be sure that it is still the right path.  God is still leading me.  The right path will have places of peace where breathing is easy as I rest in green pastures and I am renewed along the edge of quiet waters.  The same path will also weave through the darkest valley where rest is unimaginable and exhaustion sets in.
     Thankfully, there is comfort even in the darkness, in the valleys I must travel through one step at a time.  Even in that valley where darkness surrounds me and panic easily takes over, I do not have to fear.  I am not alone.  Danger may lurk in the darkest valley, but I can take comfort knowing it will not overtake me.  God is with me.  Though I may not see Him in the dark, He is still there.  He has not, He will not, leave me.
     In the darkness, the lies are easier to believe because I cannot see.  I retreat within myself thinking I am safer only trusting me.  Shrunk into myself, I listen to the lies and forget the truth.  I find myself trapped, afraid to take the next step without knowing where it will take me...is it leading me to the way out?  Is it taking me deeper into the darkness, further into the valley?  I feel certain I am alone.
     What a precious truth that I am not alone in the dark...that the dark valley is still the right path...that I am not lost.  God is with me.  He has a purpose for the dark valley I am walking through.  He knows the way out, because He brought me in.  He will not leave me.  He is with me.  He is my comfort as the darkness presses in with lies and fears, and I feel weariness fall heavy upon me.
     My friend, He is with you too.  He is taking you through the darkest valley because it is the right path for you.  I can't tell you why.  I simply don't have that answer.  I ask the question myself.  I do know that God is a God of truth.  When He says He is with you in the darkness, walking with you through the valley, He is there.  Take comfort knowing you are not alone.  Find renewed strength, if only for one more step, knowing you are not lost.  He is leading you along the right path, and He has a purpose for it.  He is faithful.  He still loves you.  He is with you.  It is easy to remember He is with you in the times of peace and rest, as you lie in green pastures and find renewed strength along the quiet waters.  Take comfort knowing He is with you in the darkest valley too when your eyes can't see.  He is with you.  He is leading you.  You are still on the right path with God as your guide.  The path will bring you to a place of green pastures and quiet waters again in time.