The birds are singing. The sun is brightly shinning.
And there is a cool light breeze rustling through the trees.
Yet I know the winter has not passed.
So many times I have been fooled by the singing of the birds and the warmth of the afternoon sun. Only to awaken the next morning to the frigid chill of a winter's morn.
I have learned that these sporadic, impromptu spring like days are not to be scorned or tossed aside with frustration.
Instead I have come to fully embrace each one for the surprisingly, wonderful, and warm, breaks they truly are from the dreary chill of winter.
And so it is with life.
In life we have many ups and downs. Hills and valleys.
Sadly, all too often I have heard in my many, years of walking with Yeshua, fellow believers completely consumed with "the Mountain Top" experience say,
"Gotta get outta the valley and up to the mountain top!"
All as if the valley were something to be looked at as a wilderness experience or a sort of punishment from God.
Well I am here to say, "It is neither."
In fact it is far from it.
Did you know the Bible references valley 48 times and mountain 58 times.
However, in my research when the Bible references the word mountain, with the exception of Moses being called to Mt. Sinai and Jesus' transfiguration, we as God's people are never called to make camp on the mountain.
The majority of the time the word mountain is used as geographic reference.
In contrast, in the 48 times the word valley is listed as a place of refuge for God's people and their enemies alike.
Here are some things I had never thought about until I began a more in-depth study of "The Valley".
Why would we want to camp out and live, (yes I said both want and live) in the valley as so many chose to do, as so many of our ancestors were told by God to do?
Was the Lord just being being cruel or was He, as He did so very often (back then) teaching them another lesson?
No, no He wasn't just teaching them a lesson or being cruel. Not at all. In fact the Lord was providing for them in very wonderful and beautiful way.
Let's think about this.
The Valley is a place full of caves and crevices - A place of protection from the elements and also a place to hide from wild animals and any other enemies. A place to stay warm at night and cool in the daytime.
The valleys are places of fruitfulness as well. There is plenty of fresh water, salt and grain. So plenty of food to eat for both people and animals alike.
Ahhh and such beauty. Meadows of beauty one could never find on the top of the mountain.
This is just a snip-it of all of the benefits of camping out in the valley.
There are so many rare and beautiful treasures deep down in the valley. If you will take the time while you are in the valley to look for them you will see these rare treasures...but if your only goal while traveling through the valley is TO GET OUT then you WILL MISS OUT on such rare gifts of God!
I admit I have been one of the first (when I notice the Lord has me on a fast track back down to the valley from the mountain top) to see if I can locate an alternate route that bypasses the valley and goes straight back to the lovely view on the mountain top. I mean come on, seriously now. Going ALL the way down the mountain to the valley and back up again isn't exactly the quickest route. I know I have wasted enough time already in my life messing around so when it comes to pulling out the ol' spiritual mapquest and choosing between quickest way or least amount of mileage I am all for quickest way! Unfortunately for me, the Lord doesn't always see it MY WAY.
Or IS IT.....unfortunate?
I have learned, after a great many trips down the same old mountain and into the same valley, that it is quite fortunate that I have upgraded to the spiritual GPS system (God Positioning System) and no longer have to depend on the oldskool mapquest. My navigating skills are some-what lacking! I have this ever longing desire to go upward, even though the map is telling me otherwise. lol Go figure.
It has taken me quite a few years and a good up grade but I have finally made it to the valley and taken a full tour.
It is quite beautiful down here!
Psalm 23
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 for ever.
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I know that there are always challenges in the valley that I/we will not have to face on the mountain top.But I have learned that it is camping out in the Valley with Yeshua my Shepherd that has given me the strength I need to overcome all my challenges.
Whether in the valley, climbing back up the side of the mountain or up on top. Yes there are those pisky ol' mountain top only challenges as well.
I must also add - That the view of the Valley from the Mountain top can not truly be appreciated if one has climbed the mountain from the Valley of the shadow of death.
The valley of the shadow of death is found deep, deep, down inside the valley. One must tarry awhile inside the valley before they can reach such a place.
In all of this let us remember that
WE are the children of the Lord most High!
That being said, I want to share this intense, beautiful and most encouraging scripture found in the Psalms.
Psalm 84:4-7
Blessed are those who dwell in your house, they are ever praising you.
Blessed are those whose strength is in you, whose hearts are set on pilgrimage.
As they pass through the Valley of Baka. they make it a place of springs;
the autumn rains also cover it with pools.
They go from strength to strength, until each appears before God in Zion.
Is THIS AwEsOmE or WHAT?!
"As they pass through the Valley of Baka. they make it a place of springs;"
WE do it. WE change the Valley of Baka (dry desert lands) into a place of springs by ever praising our God!
WooHoo!
I encourage everyone reading this not to despise the valley experience.
Let us remember that, without the valleys we would never have the mountains. It would all be flat lands.How boring would that be?
Let us remember that, without the valleys we would never have the mountains. It would all be flat lands.How boring would that be?
Also be encouraged that if the Lord has led you into the valley....know....HE is with you.
Know...it is not a punishment...know...everything will be okay.
And -
And -
REST...because....SOON....you will need strength to start your climb back up the mountain!
Grace, love, peace and joy in Jesus!
