Valley Promises {Recharge Wednesday LINKUP}

What if we knew God had valley promises just waiting for us to claim and cling to?

Because sometimes we travel on a journey we never chose. A valley experience. And we never made reservations, packed our bags, or headed off in that direction.

Besides, my heart’s GPS is wired to stay on the mountain top. Isn’t that what we secretly or openly wish the Christian life promised?

Still, we often forget God’s glory and presence dwells wherever we are, and in whatever we go through. Further, the Bible says we will have trouble in this world, valleys to walk through. It’s not “if” but “when.”

Perhaps, you relate to valleys of emotional suffering, physical pain, heartbreak, tragedy, grief, spiritual warfare, or other.

During one of my valley experiences, the Lord revealed a comforting message of truth for any and all valleys.

And it comes from two phrases and two passages in the Bible. These are valley promises.

(1.) Even though. Psalm 23.

“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” Psalm 23:4 (ESV)

David, a shepherd, led, rescued, and cared for sheep. In Psalm 23, he relates the job description to God’s care of us.

The provision of green pastures and still waters showcases the Lord’s goodness (verse 2). Restoring souls and leading in righteousness spotlight the Shepherd’s mercy (verse 3). So, we won’t lack anything on the spiritual journey, including in the valleys (verse 1).

But David mentions less-than-pleasant moments and hard days. The valley of the shadow of death, evil, and the presence of enemies. Since we live in a fallen world, there’s no guarantee of valley-free living.

Yet, the Lord guarantees He is with me “even though” I find myself in the valley (verse 4). And He’s with you.

Since we live in a fallen world, there’s no guarantee of valley-free living. Yet, the Lord guarantees He is with us 'even though' we find ourselves in the valley. #PROMISE Click To Tweet

Maybe you are walking in a present “even though.” Keep walking forward knowing green pastures and still waters await you on the other side.

Even though we walk through the valley, God’s with us and comforts us. Although my path seems uncertain, God’s goodness and mercy still follow me with certainty.

Because verse 6 promises goodness and mercy follow us all the days of our lives, that means they follow us into the valley. Throughout the valley, we look behind us and see their footprints.

Although my path seems uncertain, God’s goodness and mercy still follow me with certainty. Throughout the valley, I look behind me and see their footprints. #PROMISE Click To Tweet

(2.) God Himself. 1 Peter 5.

“And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen and establish you.” 1 Peter 5:10 (ESV)

So chapter 5 is talking to those who shepherd the flock of God; pastors, ministers, and elders (another shepherd theme).

Also, this passage reminds us the enemy prowls around looking for someone to devour, and all kinds of suffering experienced by Christians throughout the world (verses 8-9).

During “even though” situations, we must constantly remind our heart to remember the enemy’s plan against us and place our heart and thoughts on God.

But when we’re in the middle of our “even though” (our valley, our suffering, our trial, and the enemy trying to devour us) look again at what 1 Peter 5:10 says.

God Himself does four things:

Restore- “Return (someone or something) to a former condition, place, or position” (Google).
Confirm- “Establish the truth or correctness of something” (Google). “Strengthening of the mind, purpose, and conviction” (Blue Letter Bible).
Strengthen- “Make to become stronger” (Google). “Give ability, power, might” (Vine’s Expository Dictionary).
Establish- “To make firm or stable. To put into a favorable position” (Merriam-Webster). “Fixed, stayed upon” (Vine’s).

Valley Promises: Even Though, God Himself.

And we need all those things in our even-though-valley.

Here’s my problem. Karen herself tries to fix it, not God Himself. I try to do each of these four things: fix it, bring out the truth/correct it, make myself stronger, or make myself stable. But I can’t do any of these things, not like God.

Think about it this way, if we could fix ourselves, restore ourselves, fix our “even though,” we wouldn’t ever need God! All those things only come from Him and through Him.

My next problem is timing (impatience), or God not fixing it my way (you didn’t realize I have so many problems).

Yet, I have a heart problem when I run to anything or anyone (myself included) besides the Lord, when I’m in the valley or on the mountain top.

Valley Promises

Even though we walk in the valley, God Himself will restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish us.

Let’s trust God to see us through from the valley’s entrance—even if we’re just crawling—until we’re dancing out the exit.

Are you currently in a valley, an “even though” experience? How do these promises bring you comfort and peace?

Also see, Trusting God Without Hesitation.

Featured image courtesy of Adobe.

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