When the Valley Is Narrow, He Is Near - A Reflection with Pastor Sasson Pochtar

Описание: This week, we want to pause and reflect on a verse that has carried generations through seasons of uncertainty and sorrow. “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me” (Psalms 23:4). These words are familiar to many of us, yet sometimes we move too quickly past their depth. David does not describe a distant theological idea; he describes a lived reality. He speaks of walking—not running, not escaping, not denying—but walking through something dark and heavy. And for many, this resonates deeply in the season we are living in here in Israel.

In Hebrew, the word often translated as “valley” is gei (גֵּיא)—a narrow place. It is not an open field. It is not a wide horizon. It is a space with high walls, limited visibility, and no clear view of what lies ahead. Sometimes faith means continuing forward when you cannot see the rising sun. It means moving step by step when the light feels far away. The “shadow of death” is not always a single dramatic moment; sometimes it describes a prolonged season where the air feels heavy and the path feels dim. David does not say if we walk through such a place—he says when. Valleys are not anomalies; they are part of life’s journey.

There are seasons when life is not a problem to be solved but a valley to be walked. You wake up. You continue. You breathe in and out. From the outside, it may look steady. Inside, it can feel quiet, weighty, and narrow. Yet at the very center of this verse is not the valley itself, but a simple word: “with.” David declares, “You are with me.” Not near. Not observing from a distance. Not waiting at the other end. But present, within the valley. Peace does not come because the valley disappears; it comes from knowing we are not alone inside it.

David does not say, “I am not afraid.” He says, “I will fear no evil.” This is a decision, not merely a feeling. Sometimes faith is a choice your heart has not yet caught up with. Sometimes it is a quiet resolve to keep walking even when emotions lag behind. In Israel, where many have walked through narrow places in recent years—through uncertainty, tension, and loss—this truth feels particularly close. Faith is not pretending the valley does not exist; it is choosing to trust the Shepherd within it.

Psalm 23 begins with the words, “The Lord is my shepherd.” In Hebrew, the word for shepherd, ro’i, speaks not only of leadership but of care and provision. A shepherd feeds. He protects. He carries responsibility. Yeshua, our Shepherd, does not merely direct us from afar; He carries us within the valley. Scripture echoes this promise: “I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep” (John 10:11). He never promised we would avoid narrow places, but He continually assures us of His presence.

Shepherds in dangerous valleys walk in front of the flock. The sheep do not understand every turn in the path; they follow the voice they recognize. David continues, “Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.” The rod represents protection from unseen danger; the staff offers gentle guidance when the sheep drift. These two images—strength and tenderness—meet perfectly in Yeshua. He protects us from what we cannot see and gently redirects us when we lose direction. Even when the valley feels long, the Shepherd remains attentive and near.

Perhaps you find yourself in a gei—a narrow place—right now. Perhaps it is a season of heaviness, where light feels distant and your emotions feel frozen. Remember this: you are not weak because you are walking through a valley. Valleys do end, even when the exit is not yet visible. And more importantly, you are not alone within it. The promise of Psalm 23 is not that shadows disappear instantly, but that God’s presence is steadfast within them.

As we move forward together, let this truth steady your steps: “You are with me.” Not abandoned. Not overlooked. Not forgotten. In every narrow place, in every season that feels constricted or dim, the Shepherd walks ahead and beside. And even when feelings waver, faith can quietly declare: I will not fear, for He is with me.

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