Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil…

Yes, at his conversion, Ananias had conveyed to Paul that he would suffer much for the Lord’s sake. But entering the temple that particular morning, he could not possibly have conceived the dark valley he was walking into – the trial that the next few hours (and days and weeks and months and years) he would be called to endure.

…for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

Out of nowhere, Paul was recognized from a previous (hostile?) encounter in Ephesus, the alarm was sounded, and just like that, the whole city was aroused, as people came running from everywhere, seizing Paul, dragging him from the temple, with every intention of killing him.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.

It was total chaos until the Roman commander came and arrested Paul, binding him with two chains, THEN asking who he was and what he had done.

With the frenzied crowd shouting, “Get rid of him!” Paul had the remarkable presence of mind to ask if he could speak to the crowd.

You anoint my head with oil, my cup overflows.

Having received permission from the Roman commander to address the mob, a no-doubt bloodied and physically shaken Paul began sharing his remarkable story of conversion, as all of heaven listened in.

He wasn’t out of the woods yet, and one could argue that the remaining chapters of Acts reveal how God takes valley experiences, one after the other, and turns them to further His glory. (Psalm 84:6)

Don’t you and I want that, as the Good Shepherd faithfully leads us through various trials and testings?

Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. PSALM 23

Pray for Kaiden Tolkamp as he prepares to lead us in worship, and Rob Lister as he opens up this fascinating account of Paul’s temple experience, as the word of testimony was shared in the most stressful of experiences.