Alone We Are Not

“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me.”

A very familiar passage, committed to memory decades ago, recently explained to me by something written over 300 years ago.

In re-reading Pilgrim’s Progress, the classic allegory by John Bunyan, I find the character named Christian traveling through the Valley of the Shadow of Death. He is on a very narrow pathway that stretches for miles through this dark, dismal valley. On one side of the path is the pit where the blind lead the blind, “from which none have ever emerged.” On the other side of the path is a “filthy quagmire” that we fall into because of our lusts. He walks by the mouth of Hell and hears the screams of all kinds of demons and monsters. Needless to say, Christian is very scared.

But then he hears something up ahead, a voice repeating this phrase from the 23rd Psalm. It is comforting because it reminds him that someone else is on the path with him. He is not alone.

The only thing worse than being terrified is to be terrified and alone.

This passage promises us companionship when we need it most.

God will not desert us. He is always there. For some, he manifests his presence through loving parents who are willing to walk through the valley with us. For others, it is a spouse that vows to never leave you even in your darkest days. Sometimes it is a friend who has been through the valley before and can share a few tips on “death valley survival.”

And sometimes, when there doesn’t seem to by anybody around, we find the presence of God in a way that we can’t see or touch or explain. There is not another “body” around to hug and hold us, yet we feel hugged nonetheless. There is not a human voice to comfort us, yet we hear comfort spoken. There is not a physical person pointing the way, yet the way seems so obvious.

The companionship of the Spirit of God. That is the answer to our fears.