Venture ChurchVenture Church

For You Are With Me

By Pastor Troy Martin

This sermon explores the profound truth of God's steadfast presence during the valleys of our lives, emphasizing the authenticity of our Christian walk by drawing strength from faith over fear and finding comfort in God's guidance as illustrated in scriptures like Psalms 23 and Isaiah 41, reassuring us that these hardships are opportunities for growing closer to Him.

Watch · 8 Clips

Select a clip to watch

  1. 01

    Introduction and Context of Psalm 23

    0:28
  2. 02

    The Drama of Life and David's Story

    2:01
  3. 03

    Guidance for His Name's Sake

    0:49
  4. 04

    Verse Four's Significance and the Dark Valley

    2:42
  5. 05

    Personal Story of the Dark Valley

    1:36
  6. 06

    God's Presence and Comfort

    2:02
  7. 07

    Application and Personal Reflection

    1:06
  8. 08

    Shepherd's Tools: Rod and Staff

    2:48

Read

Scripture from the sermon

Psalms 23:1-6

1Yahweh is my shepherd; I will not lack for anything. 2In grassy pastures he makes me lie down; by quiet waters he leads me. 3He restores my life. He leads me in correct paths for the sake of his name. 4Even when I walk in a dark valley, I fear no evil because you are with me. Your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 5You prepare before me a table in the presence of my oppressors. You anoint my head with oil; my cup is overflowing. 6Surely goodness and loyal love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will stay in the house of Yahweh for a very long time.

01 / 05

Related verses

God's presence in hardship
1 passage

Jeremiah 20:11-13

11But Yahweh is with me like a powerful warrior. Therefore my persecutors will stumble and will not prevail. They will be very ashamed, for they will not achieve success. Their everlasting insult will not be forgotten. 12Yet, O Yahweh of hosts, who tests the righteous, who sees the heart and the mind, let me see your retribution upon them, for to you I have revealed my legal case. 13Sing to Yahweh, praise Yahweh, for he has delivered the life of the poor from the hand of evildoers.

Faith amidst trials
5 passages

Romans 5:2-4

2through whom also we have obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we boast in the hope of the glory of God. 3And not only this, but we also boast in our afflictions, because we know that affliction produces patient endurance, 4and patient endurance, proven character, and proven character, hope,

Hebrews 10:33-35

33sometimes being publicly exposed both to insults and to afflictions, and sometimes becoming sharers with those who were treated in this way. 34For you both sympathized with the prisoners and put up with the seizure of your belongings with joy because you knew that you yourselves had a better and permanent possession. 35Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has great reward.

James 1:3-5

3because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4And let endurance have its perfect effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking in nothing. 5Now if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask for it from God, who gives to all without reservation and not reproaching, and it will be given to him.

James 5:11-13

11Behold, we consider blessed those who have endured. You have heard about the patient endurance of Job, and you saw the outcome from the Lord, that the Lord is compassionate and merciful. 12Now above all, my brothers, do not swear either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath, but let your yes be yes and your no, no, in order that you may not fall under judgment. 13Is anyone among you suffering misfortune? He should pray. Is anyone cheerful? He should sing praise.

1 Peter 1:5-7

5who are being protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time, 6in which you rejoice greatly, although now for a short time, if necessary, you are distressed by various trials, 7so that the genuineness of your faith, more valuable than gold that is passing away, but is tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ,

Discuss

01
Observation

The pastor mentioned Psalm 23:4, where it talks about walking through 'dark valleys.' What do you notice about God's presence in that verse?

02
Interpretation

David's life was described as a drama with highs and lows. Why do you think God allows us to experience these 'valleys'?

03
Application

Jeremiah 20:11 calls God a 'mighty warrior' standing with us. When have you felt that kind of strength in your own life?

Up next in Psalm 23

A Fearless Life

Pastor Troy Martin·
Watch →
Who Is Your Shepherd?Sermon 01 · Pastor Troy Martin
Continue the study
Venture ChurchMore from Venture Church →