My friend, it's a joy for me to greet you and seek the Lord with you. You are going to be made so glad today. Psalm 23:4 is God’s promise for you, and it says, “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, Lord, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.” How does the Lord’s rod and staff comfort us? Psalm 23 paints a beautiful picture of how He shepherds His sheep. But how are the sheep comforted by the rod and the staff of the shepherd? When we were little children, we could hear the rhythmic sound of the watchman’s stick echoing in the night as we fell asleep. Late at night, the watchman would carry a big stick, banging it on the ground as he walked around the house. Why did he do this? To signal to any intruder or thief that he was alert and keeping watch. The sound warned them that someone was there, and it deterred them. For us, it brought peace and security, knowing someone was watching over us.

In the same way, the sheep know their shepherd is vigilant, protecting them. We also receive signs from the Lord as a family when we are depressed or overwhelmed by worry. Exactly at those moments, the Lord sends a servant of God to speak prophetically to us. They would say, "This is what the Lord says you are going through, but this is how He will raise you up." Hearing such words would fill our hearts with joy.

And sometimes, people would come to us and share their testimonies, saying, "I've experienced this wonderful miracle through your prayer." This would encourage us. At other times, the Lord Himself would perform a small miracle in our own lives during those dark seasons. This would comfort us deeply. Through all these signs, the Lord would bring His comfort to us. And just as He comforts us, He will comfort you, too, in the same way. When the Israelites were wandering through the wilderness, they were led by a pillar of cloud during the day and a pillar of fire at night, and these signs reassured them that the Lord was with them, which brought them comfort.  Dear friend, even in your darkest valley, the Lord will reveal a sign to show you that He is by your side. So, receive this wonderful blessing and comfort from the Lord today.

PRAYER: 
Dear Lord, in my darkest valley, I reach out to You and come before You, seeking Your presence and comfort. Help me to always fix my eyes on You and to believe that You are my ever-watchful Shepherd. Please show me a sign of Your loving care, a sign that You are with me, protecting me from the dangerous darts of the enemy. Speak to my heart, Lord, and let Your voice bring clarity, comfort, and hope to my troubled spirit. Perform a miracle in my life, Lord, and lift my burdens away. Send me Your words of encouragement through Your servants, through Your Word and through Your marvellous deeds. Surround me in Your comfort and remind me that I am never alone, no matter how deep the valley. Raise me up, Lord, to walk in joy and to stand in the great heights of Your blessings. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.