Valleys
Isn’t it interesting that we strive for the mountain tops? But once there, we immediately turn and gaze back down at the now declared most beautiful valley below. What a great view! Pictures are taken, and images are set to memory.
Even though we long for and greatly desire the mountain tops, (both physically and metaphorically) there is beauty in the valley (or so I am anticipating). It is there, in the valley, water flows down to and thus pools for refreshment and teams with life. From there, in the valley, sunrises and sunsets are seen most spectacularly across the mountain range. It is from the valley that we can only look up.
Charles Spurgeon said, “We find that most men confess that God is God of the hills, but they forget that He is also Lord of the valleys.”
Although I personally want to pack the ever so carefully previously surveyed—color coded map of the valley (large print, so I don’t miss a thing) with all the twists and turns identified and labeled (Ok, I’m dreaming). Yet, in the valley, I am learning as I seek my God and work through His word, Biblical valleys have amazing principles:
Valleys are to be explored: Spies are sent out into the unknown, where it “Flowed with milk and honey” and upon return, carry large clusters of grapes, found in a valley (Numbers 13).
Valleys are a place to wage war: David and Goliath. War in the valley. Where all David’s training confirms useful, and he realizes the battle is the Lords’ as he fought in the name of the LORD Almighty (1 Samuel 17). The giant defeated.
Valleys are for fresh water: Amid a great feminine, and trouble from neighboring people, Isaacs has favor when water is found in digging new wells in a valley (Genesis 26).
A valley is a place of rebuilding, repairing and restoring: AFTER Manasseh got his act together, he rebuilt the outer wall (v14, in the valley) allowing opportunity to repair the altar and restore sacrificial offerings (2 Chronicles 33).
There is victory in the valley: With unconventional means, (trumpets, torches and clay pots) Gideon and crew creatively beat the Midianites (Judges 6 & 7) in a valley.
Valleys help mark boundary lines: Once finally occupying the Promised Land, they divide up the portion for each tribe (Joshua 15 & 18) valleys used as boundary lines.
Valleys are a place for dwelling: Isaac moved away from the Philistinian King (Genesis 26:17) to the Valley of Gerar and dwelt there (if only temporarily).
Valleys are a place to destroy idols: King Josiah ordered the Asherah poles to be taken down and “burn them outside Jerusalem in the fields of the Kidron Valley” (1 Kings 23:4). An idol is anything replacing the One True God—it is a matter of the heart and mindset: leading to worship, behavior and lifestyle. (Destroy it!)
Valleys are not to be feared: King David, (scholars believe) wrote the beloved Psalm 23 in his later years. Once a shepherd—he too was shepherded. He declares, “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil” (v4). Regardless of danger or anxious filled moments or what may lurk about—Do not fear! (Note to self, write THAT in large letters!)
Miracles happen in the valley: God challenged Ezekiel to speak to the dry bones (in the valley). He did and they came alive! “This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Look! I am going to put breath into you and make you live again” (Ezekiel 37:5, NLT). I am contending for the breath of God to breathe new life, where once it was dead.
Valleys are not to be admired only from the mountain top—life happens there (and so much more). May we not always be looking beyond our valley, staring off and miss what God has for us here: Exploring, fighting, digging, rebuilding, establishing boundary lines, dwelling, destroying, anticipating miracles, breathing new life and NOT fearing and rejoicing in the victory.
If you find yourself in a valley, take pause before great attempts are made to climb out, you may have some work to do. “Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the LORD” (Psalm 31:24, NIV).
Valleys.
In Him, DeDe (“Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love & good deeds” – Hebrews 10:24).
Inspired Fountain 