Thursday, May 6th  – Through The Valley

What do you get in a land where all you have is sunshine every day and no rain? Do you know what you get? You get a desert. Here is an interesting fact. In order to have green lush vegetation, you must have rain. Storms must come. Rain must fall. In order for lush green valley you must have rain. That’s true in nature and it’s true in our lives too.

There will be valleys in life. Days when the sun doesn’t shine as bright, when things look gloomy and sad. You wish to have mountain top kind of feeling every day, but that isn’t real. You failed your exam. Your good friend turned his back on you. Your boss tells you off. Nobody seems to be bothered with you. Don’t be too surprised by them. Valleys are inevitable.

Learn to accept the reality of the valley, don’t go into self-pity, and tell yourself that you’re the only one suffering so much, everyone is happy and I’m going through a tough time. There will be persecution and problems in life but know that God is in it with us so we need to stay strong and walk on.

Jesus said in Matthew 5:45, “He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.” He said, John 16:33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” In order words, we are told to look at Him and not the troubles.

The valley will either make you or break you. Don’t focus on the valley focus on the Shepherd, the One who is with you. Declare to God your faith in Him, like David did. The valley is temporary where the sheep needs to go through to reach the grassland.

David wasn’t really looking at the valley, his eyes were somewhere else; he saw the rod and staff in the Shepherd’s hand. The Shepherd is capable of protecting with his rod and to help and save with his staff. This Shepherd does not observe us from a distance, He is actively involved in the journey with a rod and staff in His hand, He is actively involved in our life.

Bob Benson said “When life caves in, you do not need reasons you need comfort. You do not need some answers you need someone. And Jesus does not come to us with an explanation He comes to us with His presence.”