Go! And Walk Through the Valley with Jesus
Introduction
Today, I want to speak to you from the valley—not the mountain top, but the place where faith is tested, tears are shed, and questions echo off unseen cliffs.
Charles Stanley once said: "As you walk through the valley of the unknown, you will find the footprints of Jesus both in front of you and beside you."
What a powerful reminder that we are never truly alone—even when we can’t see what’s ahead, Jesus is already there.
This message is titled “Go! And Walk Through the Valley with Jesus.”
Let’s open our Bibles to a familiar but profound passage:
Psalm 23:4 (NLT): “Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.”
Let’s pray together before we begin.
I. JESUS WALKS WITH US THROUGH THE VALLEY
Psalm 23 was written by David, a shepherd who knew both fields of plenty and valleys of fear. The “darkest valley” in Hebrew is ????? ????????? (gei tzalmavet)—literally, “valley of deep shadow” or “shadow of death.”
David isn’t talking about a theoretical danger; he’s testifying of a deeply personal reality: Life gets hard. But God gets closer.
David doesn't say, “I ran from the valley,” or “I stayed in the valley,” but, “I walk through…”
Isaiah 43:2 (NLT): “When you go through deep waters, I will be with you.”
This is not just Old Testament assurance—it is Christ Himself who fulfils this promise.
Matthew 28:20 (NLT): “Be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Jesus is Emmanuel—God with us—not just on the mountain, but in the darkness, the divorce, the diagnosis, the depression.
Max Lucado said: “God never said that the journey would be easy, but He did say that the arrival would be worthwhile.”
Lucado reminds us that the valleys are part of the journey—but they’re not the destination. If you’re walking through something painful, don’t stop walking! Jesus is with you—and He knows the way through.
When fear grips you, don’t focus on what’s around you. Focus on Who is with you. Whisper His name: “Jesus.” You’ll discover He’s closer than you think.
II. JESUS GOES BEFORE US—HE IS OUR GUIDE
David said, “You are close beside me.” But Charles Stanley reminded us of something else: the footprints of Jesus are also ahead of us. He’s not only beside us—He’s leading us.
John 10:4 (NLT): “After he has gathered his own flock, he walks ahead of them, and they follow him because they know his voice.”
The Greek word for “walks ahead” is p????e? (proagei)—meaning to lead forward, to go before. Jesus is not only aware of what’s in your valley—He’s already there.
Hebrews 4:15 (NLT): “This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin.”
Tim Keller wrote: “Jesus didn’t just suffer for us—He suffers with us. In the furnace, He’s the Fourth Man.”
Keller echoes the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego—thrown into a literal furnace, only to discover that Jesus was already inside waiting for them.
When you face the unknown—career uncertainty, family breakdown, financial crisis—trust the One who has already gone before you. Jesus never leads us where His grace cannot keep us.
III. JESUS USES THE VALLEY FOR OUR GROWTH
David continues: “Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.” The rod was used for defence; the staff for direction. Together, they symbolise correction, protection, and loving leadership.
Romans 5:3–5 (NLT): “We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance… and endurance develops strength of character.”
In the valley, we don’t just survive—we grow.
John Piper said: “Don’t waste your suffering. Every millisecond of your pain has purpose—in the hands of a loving God.”
The Greek word d???µ? (dokime) in Romans 5:4, translated “character,” means “provenness” or “refined integrity.” God isn’t just getting us through the valley; He’s getting the valley out of us.
A silversmith was asked how he knows when the silver is pure. He answered, “When I can see my reflection in it.”
God uses the fire of trial until He sees the reflection of Jesus in you.
Don’t despise the valley. Yield to God’s refining work. He’s shaping you into someone more like Jesus.
IV. THE GOSPEL IN THE VALLEY—JESUS ENTERED OUR DARKEST VALLEY
Jesus didn’t merely walk beside us—He walked into death for us. The greatest valley humanity has ever faced is not sickness or sadness—it is sin.
Romans 6:23 (NLT): “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Jesus entered Gethsemane, where His sweat was like drops of blood. He descended into Golgotha, where the Lamb of God bore our sin.
1 Peter 2:24 (NLT): “He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right.”
Charles Stanley declared: “The cross is the greatest example of God’s faithfulness. If He gave His Son, He will not abandon you.”
That’s the Gospel! Christ died. Christ was buried. Christ rose again. And He did it for you.
Your sin is not too great. Your shame is not too deep. Your past is not too broken. The blood of Jesus is enough!
If you have never placed your faith in Jesus, today is the day. Repent. Believe. Receive the gift of eternal life. You may be in a valley, but Jesus is your Saviour—and He’s calling your name.
V. CALL TO ACTION – GO! AND WALK THROUGH THE VALLEY WITH JESUS
Brothers and sisters, we are not called to stay in the valley—we are called to walk through it, with Jesus by our side and the hope of heaven before us.
2 Corinthians 4:17 (NLT): “For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever!”
Church, it’s time to walk with confidence. Not because the valley is easy—but because the Saviour is faithful.
Footprints in the Sand:
You know the poem: A man dreams he’s walking along the beach with Jesus, seeing two sets of footprints. But in the hardest times, there’s only one. “Lord, why did You leave me?” he asks. Jesus replies: “I didn’t leave you. It was then that I carried you.”
Application for Believers:
Are you in a valley? Jesus is with you.
Is someone you love suffering? Be the voice of hope that reminds them: Jesus is walking beside them.
Are you facing fear? Faith doesn’t eliminate fear—it follows Jesus through it.
CONCLUSION – BENEDICTION:
Jude 1:24–25 (NLT): “Now all glory to God, who is able to keep you from falling and will bring you with great joy into his glorious presence without a single fault.”
Go, and walk through your valley—not in your strength, but in His.
May the Lord bless you and keep you.
May His presence go before you, beside you, and within you.
May you walk boldly through the valleys of life, knowing Jesus walks with you.
Amen.
