The Heart in the Valley


Yea, 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 NKJV]

My first wife Ellen had a heart attack and kidney failure in 1990. She was 39. I was 40. The following years seemed to be filled with one health crisis after another. When I read this verse I remembered the image of a valley I once saw in a vision. A vision of my journey through the valley of Ellen's death.

I was driving to work. I was worried. I was thinking about Ellen. As I began to pray, I saw a picture in my mind. In this vision I saw myself standing on a mountain looking down at a valley. Somehow I knew it was the valley of the shadow of Ellen's death. As I looked into the vision I saw Jesus come to my side, take my hand, and walk with me into the valley. The image reminds me yet today of how I can trust God in dark valleys.

In the days after Ellen's death I sensed my friend Jesus walking with me through that dark valley of death. His presence comforted me. I remember how close I felt to him as I would take walks in the evening listening to worship tapes. My heart seemed to be strong even though every part of me was falling apart.

Come Holy Spirit and walk with us in our dark valleys. There is no greater comforter than you.


... this devotion is part of a series about King David.

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