Make A Valley
Ezekiel 34:12, “As a shepherd seeketh out his flock in the day that he is among his sheep that are scattered; so will I seek out my sheep, and will deliver them out of all places where they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day.”
Good morning! Our prayer this morning is that you have opened your eyes to a new day and took time to thank God for this day He provided. May you find positivity as your helper as you go through this day so that nothing negative hinders your path or your success. Today we want to look at the valleys in life; those places that seem low, but lead us to the mountains we need to climb to reach the next valley on our journey. Can you believe that the word “valley” approximately appears in the Bible 140 times? God used the valleys as symbolic methods of testing, fighting wars, or just showing His true presence among His people, the people of this world. While in the low points, the trials, or the battles of life, then and now, God has proved He is always there, always with us. He also placed those valleys between the mountains; knowing to climb them would take perseverance, trust, and obedience. Those mountain tops served as a place of divine encounters, victory and transformation, and especially spiritual growth. But, as we learned, you cannot get to the mountain tops without the valleys! Our trials are not meant to drown us, not to end us, not to lead us to despair. They are meant to mold us, guide us, teach us of God’s unfailing love and commitment to each of us. They are meant to conform us into the likeness of Christ, that every valley will be filled and exalted to show lost souls God’s power. God is shown as the shepherd of His sheep, the God of the valleys, not just the God of the mountains! We need to understand that valleys are inevitable during our journeys here on earth; they are a humbling experience that helps our spiritual growth. So, if you are living on a mountain thinking you are at the pinnacle of your faith, way above the valleys; maybe you have forgotten who brought you to the top. Today just take a moment to be thankful for the valleys; maybe just step back and see the valleys. Remember that the valleys are purposeful, and fruitful locations that God uses for His purpose. It may be that you need to visit those valleys and see what else God has for you; maybe make a valley to lead others to time on the mountains!
Scriptures:
Read: Psalms 23:4, Isaiah 40:3-5, Isaiah 41:10, Isaiah 41:18, II Kings 3:16-17, Psalms 84:5-7, Joel 3:14-17, II Corinthians 1:3-7, I Peter 5:10, Ezekiel 34:11-16, Romans 5:1-5, Romans 15:13, Romans 8:28
Prayer:
Dear God, thank you for the valleys that lead us to the mountains. Thank you, God, for your unfailing love and guidance; your presence during the trials, the heartaches. Thank you, God, for the mountains where we can be refreshed with your knowledge, your strength, that is always with us while we follow the path to eternity with you. Help us, God, to understand how we need the valleys to become more like Christ. Amen.