(Editor’s note: In an editorial on Monday, March 30, the Enterprise invited local religious leaders to share sermons with the community through the newspaper’s Opinion page, since they are not allowed to hold services in person. This is the first response.)

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For millions of Americans, life has been upended by measures to curb the spread of COVID-19. Our social world has grown small as gatherings, including Sunday morning worship, have been suspended. Our economic world has taken a hit as the global marketplace grinds to a halt. Even our language has changed. We’re talking about hot zones, lockdowns, social distancing and sheltering in place. Two weeks ago, we didn’t know what any of that meant. For most people, the new coronavirus will cause only mild or moderate symptoms, but for some it will bring severe illness. We are closing in on 875,000 confirmed cases worldwide with more than 43,000 deaths (as of this writing). We are feeling it — feeling overwhelmed, anxious, fearful, lonely and powerless. It feels like we are in the darkest valley.

When David wrote the 23rd psalm, he used the metaphor of the darkest valley to describe the trying and troubling times of his life. We like to think of David as the popular and triumphant leader who rose from humble origins to become Israel’s greatest king. Yet scripture tells us of the hardship and hurt that he faced along the way to greatness. With only a sling, five smooth stones and the foolhardy courage of youth, David faced the giant Goliath in mortal combat. David endured the persecution of King Saul and the pain and fear of insurrection — overthrown by his beloved son Absalom. David knew the darkness of his own making, from the rape of Bathsheba to the insidious plot to murder her husband. David may not have faced COVID-19, but he knew all about the darkest valley. David knew how it felt to be overwhelmed, frightened, anxious, lonely and powerless.

In the 23rd psalm, David tells the secret of how he faced all those dark valleys. It wasn’t because of his physical strength or his big bank account. It wasn’t his popularity or his quick wits. David could walk even the darkest valley because he knew that God was with him, like the best shepherd who provides lush green grass, sparkling waters and right paths for the flock; like the most gracious host who saved him a place at the table, anointed his head like an honored guest and poured out the wine of celebration to overflowing. Giants, enemies, wilderness, rivals, rebellion, sin. David could face it all because God was with him.

If it weren’t for Jesus, David’s assurance of God’s presence would sound like just another empty promise. In Jesus, God showed us what it looks like to be the best shepherd and the most generous host. In Jesus, God chose to live among us, walking this world with compassion and love. In Jesus, God healed the sick, welcomed the outsider, taught women, spoke truth to power and forgave sins. In this Lenten season, we remember that Jesus walks the darkest valley with us and for us. That valley that Jesus walked took him to a lonely hilltop, where in the ultimate act of love, he gave his life that we might live.

Here’s the thing about our darkest valleys. Our path, even when it is right and righteous, will take us there. Yet by the grace of God, we get through them. This valley of COVID-19, it’s one mother of a valley, and the whole world is in it together. But we’ve faced dark valleys before. When our father died, it was the darkest valley. When our marriage was stretched to the breaking point, when we had that long stretch of unemployment, when our child deployed to Afghanistan, when our dear friend did us dirty, it was the darkest valley. Yet because the Lord was with us, we took a deep breath, put one foot in front of the other, and walked the right path. One day, we looked up and the darkness was gone. The Lord had brought us through to the marvelous light.

We will make it through the dark valley of COVID-19. We’ve been here before, and so has the Lord. Our ability to weather the storm won’t be because we are smarter than our grandparents who contended with polio. It won’t be because we are more powerful than our great-grandparents who faced the influenza pandemic of 1918. It won’t be because we are stronger than our great-great-grandparents who pioneered a cold-air cure for tuberculosis right here in our village. We will weather this crisis as our ancestors were able to face their crises — because God walks with us. We have a good shepherd and generous host who restores our souls and supplies our need.

As we walk through the darkest valley, we can hold fast to David’s assurance that God is with us by making some everyday choices that embody the spirit of the Good Shepherd. Take a break from binge watching, set aside the quilting, put down the potato chips, take a coffee break from your remote office, and take it to the Lord in prayer. Add to your evening table grace a moment for everyone in the family to share what they feel grateful for and what they need help with. Avail yourself of the resources that your faith community has made available in this tough time. Consider how you may benefit vulnerable neighbors by supporting helping agencies. Call one another and share your love. Send a card that heals an old wound. Expect the best in everyone.

As we endure the lockdown, worship by internet and maintain our appropriate social distance, we can take a deep breath and put one foot in front of the other. We can remember and affirm for our world that God is with us. As we walk with the Good Shepherd, may we find that we feel just a little less overwhelmed, anxious, fearful and vulnerable. Even though we walk through the darkest valley, we shall fear no evil, for God is with us.

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The Rev. Joann White is pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Saranac Lake.