David, the Psalmist, said, “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me.” The darkest valley. Death. Hatred. Being abandoned. Spiritual attack. David refused to be afraid of anything, even of evil itself. Why? Because the God of the universe walked alongside him. This wasn’t an oblivious optimism that defies reality. David had a faith-filled trust that the God Who walked with him was greater than anything that could possibly come against him.
My wonderful mentor is now praising Jesus in heaven. While she was with us on earth, she was a stunning example of the hope God’s people are called to display. I walked alongside her for years as she battled cancer. As her diagnoses continued to get worse and worse, her unshakable hope got stronger and stronger. Refusing to mention or discuss her excruciating pain, she was the most radiant, joyful, thankful person, incessantly seeking to encourage others.
Why? How? Because she “feared no evil.” She didn’t fear pain. She didn’t fear death. She believed in God’s plan, whatever that happened to be. She hoped in God that He would bring her out of the darkest valley. And He did. He brought her out of the darkest valley and escorted her into His throne room in heaven. We can be filled with hope, knowing that God is bringing us through the situation we’re walking through. We just have to keep walking - in hope and confidence that our King is in control, and with the surrendered understanding that we are not. Let's look for other people to encourage while we're in this situation. Let's be incessantly encouraging, because we're incessantly hopeful.
This necklace is dedicated to Laura Rhodes, my dear friend, mentor, and great hero of the faith.
