Field guide · Terrain · “Even though I walk through the darkest valley… you are with me”
Us with Godand Suffering
Forecast: heat and heavy weather, with a fourth figure seen in the flames.
Four tired ways to walk
Each has some truth in it. None of them is the whole story.
Under GodSheep that hide from the Shepherd
What did I do wrong to deserve this?
Over GodSheep that know the way
If I’d followed the principles, this never would have happened.
From GodSheep that follow the grass
I prayed, and God didn’t deliver.
For GodSheep trying to be the sheepdog
Push through. The mission needs me, and there’s no time to fall apart.
He is in the fire with you.
When three young men were thrown into the furnace, the king saw a fourth man walking with them in the flames (Dan 3:25). God promises that when we walk through the fire, it will not consume us, and the rivers will not sweep over us (Isa 43:2). He doesn’t always lead us around the dark valley. He walks through it with us, so we don’t have to be afraid (Ps 23:4).
Where the Shepherd isAt the tomb of his friend, “Jesus wept” (John 11:35). He knew what he was about to do, and he cried with them anyway.
Tell God exactly how this feels today, without tidying it up.
Jesus, where are you in this?
Fellow travelers
People in Scripture who walked this ground before us.
Keep walking
- With God: Sheep that know his voicethe posture every entry points to
- Which Way Are You Walking?a short self-check
- The Field Guideevery entry, by terrain, weather and crossing