Did you know that it is an impossibility of geography to have a valley without a mountain? The valley is the place of vision. It is the place of repose and reflection. The mountain is the place of discovery and a place to become strong. When The Valley Is Better Than The Mountain.
2 Chronicles 20:25-26, “When Jehoshaphat and his people came to carry off the plunder, they found more loot than they could carry off—equipment, clothing, valuables. It took three days to cart it away! On the fourth day, they came together at the VALLEY OF BLESSING (Beracah) and blessed God (that’s how it got the name, VALLEY OF BLESSING).” (MSG)
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me (Psalm 23:4 NKJV)
Have you ever gone through a spiritual valley in your life? Perhaps it was a time when unexpected circumstances suddenly came crashing down on you. Perhaps it was a time when it seemed as though even God himself had abandoned you. In Psalm 23, David speaks of how God is with us, even when we go through valleys in our lives: “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me” (verse 4 NKJV).
David was no stranger to calamity and hardship. This was a man who knew what it was like to suffer. He knew what it was like to face difficulties. He had been hunted like a wild animal by the paranoid King Saul, even after being anointed as the next king of Israel by the prophet Samuel.
When David brings us this and other psalms, which he penned under the direction of the Holy Spirit, he candidly speaks of his own shortcomings, weaknesses, and questions he faced in life. Psalm 23 came from the school of hard knocks, from a man who knew what it was like to need God’s help.
But we might say, “A valley? I don’t like valleys, Lord. I prefer mountaintops, okay? I like the sun to be shining and the birds singing. I like good times. I don’t want friction. I don’t want hardship.”
The Lord is saying, “You see that mountaintop in the distance? The way to that mountaintop is through this valley. You come with Me now through the valley.” We all go through those valleys in life, those hard times. Whatever valley it is, remember this: You are not alone. That is God’s great promise to the believer.
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1
Did you know that it is an impossibility of geography to have a valley without a mountain? They are beautiful complements in God’s grand creation.
The valley is the place of vision. It is the place of repose and reflection.
The mountain is the place of discovery and a place to become strong.
If you find yourself in a valley, it is because you have come down from a mountain. If you’re on a mountain, you came to that place by way of the valley.
Are you in the valley or on the mountaintop? Read Psalm 46 about the strength of the Lord. Rest and rejoice in His strength, wherever God has you right now.
The Christian life is never a steady, even walk. There are hills and ruts, mountaintop experiences, and dark valleys. I think it’s safe to say we all prefer the mountaintops to the valleys—that’s just human nature—but it is often in the valleys that we grow the most.
Moses had been on the mountaintop. As a member of Egypt’s royal household, he was highly educated. He had fame, wealth, and, according to the Jewish historian Josephus, military success. But when he tried to be a hero to his own people, he found himself on the run from Pharaoh. Suddenly, he was stripped of everything familiar and comfortable. He found himself in a dark valley.
The mighty Moses, a prince of Egypt, was suddenly a lowly shepherd, dependent on the kindness of a priest of Midian. Instead of commanding armies, his job was to corral sheep. Instead of a chariot, he had a shepherd’s staff. “I have become a foreigner in a foreign land,” he admitted (Exodus 2:22). But that was where God wanted Moses.
God does not often use arrogant and unbroken people as His instruments; He uses people who depend on Him. So, to use Moses, God first broke him down to build him up into a great champion for righteousness. God specializes in using our brokenness. So, take heart if you are in a dark valley, for when you learn the lesson of your brokenness, you will experience greater heights than you ever thought possible.
So often we talk about the great “mountain-top experiences” of life. And they are indeed wonderful! After all, with all the work, sweat, time, and energy it takes to get to the top of the mountain, who wouldn’t want to celebrate the accomplishment and relish in their time at the top? It’s a beautiful view from the top, so much to see, to embrace, to celebrate, and enjoy. However, I’ve found myself to have that same experience in some of my valleys as well. Unfortunately, we often view the valley as the dark, depressing, miserable, defeated place, but I’ve come today to tell you, that couldn’t be further from the truth!
God is always at work in our lives, even during our most stress-filled moments. When we entrust everything, we are and everything we have to Him, when we depend upon His truth instead of our own understanding and choose to walk in obedience, He promises to “make our paths straight.” No matter how deep the valley, we can count on God for direction.
In Proverbs 3:6, “make straight” means “to do right, to make smooth or to be evenly hammered.” I love that truth! I can almost see my Father going before me, the hammer of truth in His hand, flattening every fear-filled obstacle, hammering down every mountain of doubt before me so that, when He has made a way, I can cross over. He straightens out crooked paths, improving my behavior and causing me to do the “right” things.
Valleys are best faced with a total abandonment to the Shepherd of the valley. How many times have we danced with joy on the mountaintop and then moaned and complained in the valley?
God Is Lord Of The Mountain And The Valley.
I suspect that the most powerful life is lived in the valley - not on the mountaintop. Every valley is surrounded by mountains. Every valley has a Shepherd, a Shepherd who will walk with us through the valley, and a Shepherd who will go before us, leading us out of the valley. When the psalmist wrote these words, he wrote my life message: “I waited patiently for the Lord; He turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; He set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand” (Psalm 40:1-2).
No matter where you are today, your Father is there.
No matter how deep or long the valley, He is with you, waiting for you to surrender all.
Give Him your valley, knowing that He will surely lead you out. God has ordained that valley as an altar of sacrifice, an opportunity for Him to work through your broken heart and life.
Keep your glance on the valley and your gaze on the Shepherd. Begin praising Him for your deliverance. It will surely come. I believe God intends for us all to live in a valley just like that!
You were promised the Peace of God, but not smooth sailing, immunity, or exemption from life’s problems! Which is why Jesus Himself admonishes you with these words: “I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have TRIBULATION and TRIALS and DISTRESS and FRUSTRATION; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.]” (John 16:33 AMP). In other words, you will experience Tribulation, Trials, Distress, and Frustration, but it will NOT Overcome you no matter how Overwhelmed you may feel!
However, you WILL experience it nonetheless! I’m certain that is the testimony of many of you, “…fearing the Lord…YET…walking in darkness and deep trouble…” However, I encourage you to rest assured that you are NOT the only one who shares this testimony!
Let’s see some examples:
1…JOB—lived an exemplary life yet he lost everything! Troubled and perplexed, he cried, “God has blocked my way so I cannot move. He has plunged my path into darkness.” (19:8 NLT).
2…JEREMIAH – after preaching to a rebellious people who beat and imprisoned him, said, “I wish that my eyes were fountains of tears, so I could cry day and night for my people…” (9:1 CEV).
3…JOHN THE BAPTIST—was puzzled about why Jesus, who could raise the dead, had left him to languish in prison. So he sent Him a message asking, “…are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?” (Luke 7:19 NIV).
4…PAUL—suffered so much he “…despaired even of life.” (2 Corinthians 1:8). Or better stated by The Message Bible, “We don’t want you in the dark, friends, about how hard it was when all this came down on us…It was so bad we didn’t think we were going to make it. We felt like we’d been sent to death row, that it was all over for us…” (vss. 8-11).
5…NAOMI – was so bitter in soul, that she renamed herself bitter. “But she said, “Don’t call me Naomi; call me Bitter. The Strong One has dealt me a bitter blow. I left here full of life, and God has brought me back with nothing but the clothes on my back. Why would you call me Naomi? God certainly doesn’t. The Strong One ruined me.” (Ruth 1:20-21 MSG)
6…DAVID – did not bite his tongue at all when addressing God about how he felt. “Long enough, God – you’ve ignored me long enough. I’ve looked at the back of your head long enough. Long enough I’ve carried this ton of trouble, lived with a stomach full of pain. Long enough my arrogant enemies have looked down their noses at me.” (Psalm 13:1-2 MSG)
7…ELIJAH – simply wanted to die! “When Elijah saw how things were, he ran for dear life to Beersheba, far in the south of Judah. He left his young servant there and then went on into the desert another day’s journey. He came to a lone broom bush and collapsed in its shade, wanting in the worst way to be done with it all—to just die: “Enough of this, God! Take my life—I’m ready to join my ancestors in the grave!” Exhausted, he fell asleep under the lone broom bush…” (1 Kings 19:3-5 MSG)
8…MOSES – was under such distress, He even asked God to erase him out of His book! “Moses went back to God and said, “This is terrible. This people have sinned – it’s an enormous sin! They made gods of gold for themselves. And now, if you will only forgive their sin…But if not, erase me out of the book you’ve written.” (Exodus 32:32 MSG)
9…JESUS – even asked a question many of us ask of our Father. “From noon to three, the whole earth was dark. Around mid-afternoon Jesus groaned out of the depths, crying loudly, “Eli, Eli lema sabachthani?” which means, “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?” (Matthew 27:45-46 MSG)
In a nutshell: Faith is like film; it’s developed in the DARK! Yet you can take heart because you share the ‘DARK ROOM’ the Valley Experience with some great men and women who experienced the same struggles and yet still overcame them and succeeded! Job, Jeremiah, John, Paul, Naomi, David, Elijah, Moses, and even Jesus all spent time in the Dark Room developing into images of strength and endurance for us to admire and become!
You see, dark days are purposed to make you lean on God in ways you normally wouldn’t! The truth is, if your faith was never tested you wouldn’t be motivated to pursue God and draw closer to Him!
First, you’ve got to look back at the amazing works God has already done, and specifically thank Him for them. Your confidence grows as you remember all He’s already done. Can you imagine if we did this every time a crisis in our lives appears? Think about it, He’s provided before; He’s healed before; He’s delivered before; He’s made ways out of no way before. And according to the Word of God, He has not changed! “Jesus Christ is [ETERNALLY CHANGELESS, ALWAYS] THE SAME YESTERDAY AND TODAY AND FOREVER.” (Hebrews 13:8 AMP). So, if He did it then, what makes you doubt Him now? When you were unemployed, He was there; when you were lonely, He was there; when you were discouraged, He was there; when you were hurting, He was there. What makes you think anything has changed since the Bible declares “JESUS CHRIST IS [ETERNALLY CHANGELESS…”? The rent, mortgage, car note, car insurance, tuition, utilities were all a struggle before, and still, He came through, so why is your faith shaken now? Why are you wavering now? Why are you doubting now? Why are you second-guessing now? You’ve needed food, shelter, and transportation, before, and He came through, why are you fearful now?
This is not your first time in the valley! Never forget His power neither ascends nor descends because of the height of the mountain or the depth of the valley you experience. “JESUS CHRIST IS [ETERNALLY CHANGELESS] …” No matter your location, He knows where to find you, after all, there’s nowhere you can go and be without Him!
David discovered that it’s better to walk through the valley with God than stand on the mountaintop without Him! Church, if you haven’t reached this level of faith and trust in God, keep stretching! It’s mandatory that you reach it! Practice talking like David!
Psalm 23 – “God, my shepherd! I don’t need a thing. You have bedded me down in lush meadows, You find me quiet pools to drink from. True to Your word, You let me catch my breath and send me in the right direction. Even when the way goes through Death Valley, I’m not afraid when You walk at my side. Your trusty shepherd’s crook makes me feel secure. You serve me a six-course dinner right in front of my enemies. You revive my drooping head, my cup brims with blessing. Your beauty and love chase after me every day of my life. I’m back home in the house of God for the rest of my life.” (MSG)
David learned something that we all need to learn, especially when traveling through the dark and even death valleys of life. He learned to trust God even when he couldn’t trace Him. Why? Because God is a covenant keeper of His Word, and His Word has made you promises that will not fail! And those promises hold true even when God doesn’t immediately light the path for your way out of darkness.
Does that sound like you’re walking in the dark alone? I think not! That’s the kind of faith that keeps your focus on point!
But there is something else you should know about darkness and that is: Contrary to what you may think, DARKNESS isn’t always the work of the enemy! It’s often God’s best teaching tool! Listen to the Bible: “LATE AT NIGHT, the boat was far out at sea; Jesus was still by himself on land. He could see his men struggling with the oars, the wind having come up against them. At about four o’clock in the morning, Jesus came toward them walking on the sea. He intended to go right by them. But when they saw him walking on the sea, they thought it was a ghost and screamed, scared out of their wits. Jesus was quick to comfort them: “Courage! It’s me. Don’t be afraid.” As soon as he climbed into the boat, the wind died down. They were stunned, shaking their heads, wondering what was going on. They didn’t understand what he had done at the supper. None of this had yet penetrated their hearts.” (Mark 6:48-52 MSG).
Truth is, you get to know the Lord by going through storms WITH Him! Yes, it was "LATE AT NIGHT", but aren’t you glad your GOD still works the NIGHT SHIFT?!
Remember, just because your situation is too dark for you, doesn’t mean it will EVER be too dark for God!
If God doesn’t lose sight of you in heaven, hell, or the earth, what makes you think He will not be able to see you in the valley? See, the battle is the Lord’s. Those five words say it all about this day and about each tomorrow in your life. It’s another day to trust Him. That’s what the valley does, it tests, exposes, and builds your faith!
When looked at from the proper advantage point, the valley is a blessing, not a curse! The enemy wants you to believe that the valley is the place of discouragement, depression, and despair. A place of loneliness, dread, fear, and worry. A place of doubt and guessing. A place void of God. And my friend, that couldn’t be further from the truth!
You see, in the valley, you’re positioned between two mountains. You get to see where God has brought you and where He’s taking you at the same time. So, when doubt and distress rear their ugly head, all you must do is take a glance over your shoulder. Remember when God healed you, delivered you, protected you, provided for you, strengthened you. Remember when He restored your peace, joy, sanity, and life. Remember when you thought that last trial would take you out for good. When you thought that was it. That was the last straw. There’s no recovery from this…AND THEN…GOD! The valley tells your fears they have no power over you. The valley reminds you that you’ve conquered that, you got over that, you got past them. The rumors, lies, gossip, and backbiting that were designed to destroy you, fell apart at the seams! The valley is the place where you remind the devil that your God is walking with you while you walk your way through. The valley reminds you that what was supposed to kill you, ended up breathing new life into you!
The greater blessing is that God can bless you while you’re still IN the valley! God doesn’t need you to come OUT of anything to bless you! He can bless you while you’re still IN it! “Nay, IN ALL THESE THINGS we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us.” (Romans 8:37). Did you catch that? “…IN ALL THESE THINGS…” God doesn’t need to bring you OUT, He can bless you, protect you, provide for you, go to battle on your behalf, and strengthen you, even while you’re still IN it! He proves His might and power by making us more than conquerors even while we’re still, “…IN ALL THESE THINGS…” Take heart, take courage! God will show OUT, while you’re still IN!
That’s the beauty of the valley. You get to look over your shoulder and remember what the Lord has done…and what should be your response? “Then Jehoshaphat knelt, bowing with his face to the ground. All Judah and Jerusalem did the same, worshiping God. The Levites (both Kohathites and Korahites) stood to their feet to praise God, the God of Israel; they praised at the top of their lungs!” (vss. 18-19 MSG). Praise and Worship was the response to what we’ve already made it over!
BUT THAT’S NOT EVEN THE BEST PART!
Now you get to turn your head around, look forward and smile! Why? Because God gives you a view/vision of what He’s about to do NEXT!
“They were up early in the morning, ready to march into the wilderness of Tekoa. As they were leaving, Jehoshaphat stood up and said, “Listen Judah and Jerusalem! Listen to what I have to say! Believe firmly in God, your God, and your lives will be firm! Believe in your prophets and you’ll come out on top!” (vs. 20 MSG) We’ve made it over the last mountain-top, and now we’re about to conquer the next one! We’re about to “…COME OUT ON TOP!”
The valley now provides you with security that what God did before He’s able to do again! He defeated our enemies before; He’ll defeat them again. He healed, delivered, answered prayer, made provision, and provided protection before, and He will do it again! And all we must do is trust Him in the Valley for the next Mountain!
AND YOU DIDN’T THINK THE VALLEY WAS A BLESSED PLACE TO BE!
Friends, all this was done, in the VALLEY, not on the Mountain! They sought God there, they received instructions there, they obeyed there, they prayed, praised, and worshiped there, God placed ambushes against their enemies there, and it is there where they had their enemies cut off, and there that they carried off (equipment, clothing, valuables) so much so, that it took three days to carry it all away! But it’s their fourth-day response that blessed me most, “…On the fourth day they came together at the VALLEY OF BLESSING (Beracah) AND BLESSED GOD (that’s how it got the name, VALLEY OF BLESSING).”
THEY BLESSED GOD IN THE VALLEY! WON’T YOU LET THAT BE YOUR RESPONSE TODAY IN THE MIDST OF YOUR VALLEY!
Remember: The valley is not a bad place to be positioned! It reminds you (and your faith) of what the Lord did before, and what He will do again! It’s a place of encouragement, empowerment, renewal, trust, hope, and confidence. Truth is, Sometimes the VALLEY is Better Than the Mountain!
BLESSINGS, PROVISION, FRUITFULNESS, VICTORY, RECOVERY, AND RESTORATION ARE ALL FOUND IN THE VALLEY!
TODAY, THANK GOD FOR YOUR VALLEY OF BLESSING!
“As you walk through the Valley of the unknown, you will find the footprints of Jesus both in front of you and beside you.”
Blessings
J.P. Olson
https://www.thewordwithjpolson.com
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