Brother Rodger Castle brought the message.
What do we do when we talk about the weather? Some don’t like it hot. Some don’t like it cold. Some always want sunshine and never rain. However, without rain we’d have a desert. Lush vegetation must have rain. What happens when storms come? Lots of times God prunes the trees and gets rid of the junk.
We all will have dark times and valleys. Joshua talked about a valley of calamity. There are valleys of weeping. Hosea had a valley of trouble. Let’s talk about a very dark valley.
Psalm 23:4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
In Israel there was a valley called the Valley of Death. It had steep walls. The sun only hit the valley floor at high noon. The rest of the time was dark. David must have known something about this valley to write this. We all have dark valleys, and we all deal with them differently. Only God can bring us peace in them. I want to give you five facts about a valley.
Valleys are unavoidable. We can’t live life without valleys. You’re in one now, just got out of one or getting ready to enter one. Job 5:7 says yet man is born unto trouble, as the sparks fly upward.
Valleys are unpredictable. We can’t plan a crisis. We don’t get in the car and plan to have a flat tire. Jeremiah 4:20 says destruction upon destruction is cried; for the whole land is spoiled: suddenly are my tents spoiled, and my curtains in a moment. Things happen when we don’t expect them.
Valleys are impartial. No one is immune to valleys. It doesn’t matter how much money you have or don’t have. It doesn’t matter how much influence you have or don’t have. Everyone has problems, good people and bad people. Have you ever said “why me?” What we should really say is “why not me?” I am no different than anyone else who goes through bad times. Matthew 5:45 says that ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
Valleys are only temporary. They are never permanent. A valley is a tunnel with a light at the end of it. The suffering won’t last forever. God will bring you out of it.
Valleys have a purpose. What good are they? God does have a reason. There are valleys of financial hardship. There are valleys of relationship problems. There are emotional valleys. Nothing bad in this life will mean a thing when the trumpet sounds. I like to imagine eternity without the devil, life without sin and hardship. Valleys help shape us. It’s like putting metal to the fire. God knows how much heat we can stand. Faith is built in the valleys, not on the mountain. The God who is God of our mountains is the same God in the valleys. The Bible says he’s the Lily of the Valley. No matter what, he’s still God. His goal is to build our character. Valleys do that.
What are we to do? Refuse to be discouraged. Notice verse 4 again. David wasn’t afraid and neither were the sheep. He walked. He didn’t run or shake in his boots. He said I will fear no evil. Don’t give into the devil. In this verse we saw it get personal. He said “thou art with me. Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me.” Rely on God’s presence in your valleys. Rely on his protection.
Shadows are bigger than reality. They can’t hurt you. This was the valley of the shadow of death. What do you need to have a shadow? There must be a light source. The light at the end of the tunnel is Jesus. He will never leave us or forsake us. He’ll be with us unto the end.
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
We really need the Lord. If you need help, God will help you.
Adwolfe Freewill Baptist Church 