God with Us in the Valley
By Ryan Dawson
There are seasons in life when we feel like we are walking through a valley.
Sometimes God seems silent. Prayer feels difficult. We may be grieving a loss, wrestling with uncertainty, battling fear or discouragement, carrying deep pain, or simply wondering what direction to take next. In those moments, honest questions often rise within us:
Where are You, God?
Do You see me?
Why won't you answer my prayers?
Do You still love me?
One author, Ryan Skoog, writes in Lead with Prayer: “The gift of struggle, valleys, dark times, pressure, and pain is closeness. Its presence. The closeness of Christ can redeem the worst times and the hardest struggles.”
That same truth is beautifully woven into Psalm 23. At the beginning of the psalm, David speaks about God in the third person:
“The Lord is my shepherd… He makes me lie down in green pastures… He refreshes my soul.”
But something changes when David reaches the valley.
Suddenly, David no longer speaks about God — he speaks to Him.
“Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for You are with me.”
It is often in the valley — in the darkest and most difficult seasons of our lives — that God becomes most personal and most near. The valley has a way of stripping away distractions and drawing us into a deeper dependence on His presence. We discover that God is not distant from our pain. He walks with us through it.
C. S. Lewis once wrote: “I know now, Lord, why you utter no answer. You yourself are the answer. Before your face questions die away. What other answer would suffice?”
What a comforting reminder: sometimes God does not immediately remove the valley, but He faithfully meets us there. I'm learning this truth in these days, but I think I'm growing to trust God more, even when life is hard.
I love the song Your Presence Is a Promise by Mack Brock. The song reminds us that God never promised that life would be easy, but He has promised that He will never leave us. Jesus told His followers, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
Today, wherever you find yourself — whether on a mountaintop or in a valley — remember this: God is with you. His presence is not based on your feelings or circumstances. His presence is His promise to you! And God keeps His promises!
Take a few quiet moments this week to sit with the Lord. Listen to this song. Reflect on His faithfulness. And let these words remind your heart of what is true:
Your Presence in a Promise – Mack Brock
You are with me, You are for me
You're not leaving, so I'm not folding
When the shadows hover, You're still right here
You are my cover, I will not fear
Like the stars, You will shine brighter with the night
Even in the darkness, Your presence is a promise
In the valley, I know You won't let me go
Even in the darkness, Your presence is a promise over me.
In my weakness, You're my courage
You will guard me, You're my fortress
Your word is steady, my solid ground
You've never left me, You won't start now
Like the stars, You will shine brighter with the night
Even in the darkness, Your presence is a promise
In the valley, I know You won't let me go
Even in the darkness, Your presence is a promise over me.
May you know the nearness, comfort, and peace of Christ today.
Blessings, Ryan
There are seasons in life when we feel like we are walking through a valley.
Sometimes God seems silent. Prayer feels difficult. We may be grieving a loss, wrestling with uncertainty, battling fear or discouragement, carrying deep pain, or simply wondering what direction to take next. In those moments, honest questions often rise within us:
Where are You, God?
Do You see me?
Why won't you answer my prayers?
Do You still love me?
One author, Ryan Skoog, writes in Lead with Prayer: “The gift of struggle, valleys, dark times, pressure, and pain is closeness. Its presence. The closeness of Christ can redeem the worst times and the hardest struggles.”
That same truth is beautifully woven into Psalm 23. At the beginning of the psalm, David speaks about God in the third person:
“The Lord is my shepherd… He makes me lie down in green pastures… He refreshes my soul.”
But something changes when David reaches the valley.
Suddenly, David no longer speaks about God — he speaks to Him.
“Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for You are with me.”
It is often in the valley — in the darkest and most difficult seasons of our lives — that God becomes most personal and most near. The valley has a way of stripping away distractions and drawing us into a deeper dependence on His presence. We discover that God is not distant from our pain. He walks with us through it.
C. S. Lewis once wrote: “I know now, Lord, why you utter no answer. You yourself are the answer. Before your face questions die away. What other answer would suffice?”
What a comforting reminder: sometimes God does not immediately remove the valley, but He faithfully meets us there. I'm learning this truth in these days, but I think I'm growing to trust God more, even when life is hard.
I love the song Your Presence Is a Promise by Mack Brock. The song reminds us that God never promised that life would be easy, but He has promised that He will never leave us. Jesus told His followers, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
Today, wherever you find yourself — whether on a mountaintop or in a valley — remember this: God is with you. His presence is not based on your feelings or circumstances. His presence is His promise to you! And God keeps His promises!
Take a few quiet moments this week to sit with the Lord. Listen to this song. Reflect on His faithfulness. And let these words remind your heart of what is true:
Your Presence in a Promise – Mack Brock
You are with me, You are for me
You're not leaving, so I'm not folding
When the shadows hover, You're still right here
You are my cover, I will not fear
Like the stars, You will shine brighter with the night
Even in the darkness, Your presence is a promise
In the valley, I know You won't let me go
Even in the darkness, Your presence is a promise over me.
In my weakness, You're my courage
You will guard me, You're my fortress
Your word is steady, my solid ground
You've never left me, You won't start now
Like the stars, You will shine brighter with the night
Even in the darkness, Your presence is a promise
In the valley, I know You won't let me go
Even in the darkness, Your presence is a promise over me.
May you know the nearness, comfort, and peace of Christ today.
Blessings, Ryan