Usually, in a vale or better known as the valley, many unique things take place. When I think of a valley the first one that comes to mind is Death Valley. From 1849 to 1850, the valley got its name from a group of pioneers that were lost and ironically only one person died as a result, and from that point, it was called Death Valley. This valley is very hot with a
record temp of 134 in July of 1913, and only gets about 2 inches of rain per year, however, there is always a vast array of beautiful plant life that exists in this valley. Even in these extreme conditions plants and animals have adapted and managed to survive.
Often as Christians, we refer to the valley as a low place in our life. We sing about the valley in our music. We talk about it to our friends, and we sometimes dwell on it. If we would be honest, I think most of us stay in the “valley” more than we would like to admit. There is nothing wrong with the valley. Without the valley we would not have mountains now,
would we? When sorrows come and we slide down into the crevices of heartache, doubt, and fear usually the first thought is why me God? We continue to slide into the vale until our flesh is torn and our spirit is mauled. Then we hit the bottom and we still fail to see all the Glory of God around us. We just sit there or when we do finally get up, we roam aimlessly just as God’s people did in the wilderness. Our attitude blinds us to the opportunity at hand.

Unlike Death Valley, some valleys flood as the rain rushes down the mountain washing away the top layer exposing what is underneath. Nothing is left but the mud. We all need that top layer washed away from time to time to expose the raw vessel. God cannot work with a vessel that is unwilling to adapt to change. Remember when Jesus healed the blind man using his spit and mud? God desires to heal and mold us into a new vessel. Well, after the rain, eventually the sun will shine, and the water will move, and things look different. New life begins to grow where the old once lived. We
see a new beauty in the creation, that could not have existed without the cleansing of the valley. We should never desire for things to remain the same, we should desire change for the better, however with change comes discomfort and washing away of the old. When I used to think of the valley it was a dark place, especially speaking in the sense of personal hardship or trial. Many times, while in the valley I only experienced the low of my situation. As my sin and sins of this world lay heavy and the darkness was waiting to devour, I failed to see the beauty of the new life that will spring from the valley. The older I get I think about those valleys in my life, and not one time did I end up worse for it spiritually. Going through the valley I
went through the same thoughts as others. That poor me, angry, I did nothing to deserve this, why me attitude.

Then I said to myself one day, why not me??? It was at that time that everything changed. I could see the valley with a whole new attitude. The change came because my eyes were now set on Jesus. Jesus suffered it all, went through every valley we will ever experience, and conquered every sin. God loves us so much He sent Jesus and by His love, He went all the
way back and covered it with His blood. He did that for me, and He did that for you, and all that was before us and all that are to come. We have been kissed by a love so pure and sweet it should overwhelm our physical being and fill our spirit with joy. HE SAID, IT IS FINISHED! Those words alone should cause us to shout!
The most precious moments I have spent with the Lord are in those valleys when it is just, He and I. I feel I become closer to him in my suffering, and even though I cannot fathom the love Jesus has for me, I get a taste of that sweet, sweet spirit to overflowing. As I rise and start up the mountain, I am renewed in Him, and I look back and I am thankful.

 

Remember one another when you pray and lift and encourage those in the valley to rise and look around at the gift God is allowing them to see through His cleansing power over death and the grave.

John 3:16

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Philippians 4:13

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Romans 8:31-33

31 What shall we then say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?

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