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
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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
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(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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Several generations passed.

400 years of captivity.

40 years wandering the desert.

The Promised Land in sight, then out of sight, then in it again. Amazing victories. Devastating losses. Seasons of sin. Periods of rejoicing and serving the Lord.

Finally, the death of Moses. It wouldn’t be long. All they’d waited for was about to be realized. The promise they’d clung to their whole lives, generation after generation was about to come true.

Tomorrow, Joshua said, God would do wonders in their sight.

Tomorrow came.

Not with battle cries or conquering. Not with settlement or recognition from anyone outside. We have no records of trumpets sounding or angels singing or any other fanfare. As with many moving days, the excitement was mixed with the practical aspects of relocating. It came with memories of the last massive move: the exodus from slavery in Eygpt.

Tomorrow came by entering the way they exited- on dry land. God, in a moment, had a river standstill and pile up in a heap so that His people would visually see what had always been true: God makes the way.

They entered after Him and crossed over before His presence.

Their feet stood, at long last, on the Promised Land.

Tomorrow came and went.

It was still days, months even, before the land was officially claimed, in the sight of all people, as their own. There were still wars to be fought and victories to be won in the name of the God Almighty. The land still had to be divided, people would need to stake their claims and build their homes. All of the establishing was left to do.

The past was behind, the promise was the present.

God stopped a river in their sight to remind them of who He was and where He was in the midst of the move and the promise: present.

Sometimes we look for the big victory. The recognition and affirmation that we have indeed arrived. We crave a sense of being established, of permanance. Our idea of promises realized looks big.

God reminds us the promise that He will always be with us is realized every day.

God reminds us the promise that He will always be with us is realized every day.
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God makes a way so that we might recognize, in knowing and following Him, a present far greater than the promise. We live in the presence of the promise-maker and promise-keeper.

{A version of this post was originally published here.}

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LINKUP party is open! This week, my friend @BethanyMcIlrath reminds us that we have a record in Scripture and in our lives saying that we can trust God's promises
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In hope against hope he believed, so that he might become a father of many nations according to that which had been spoken, “SO SHALL YOUR DESCENDANTS BE.”  Without becoming weak in faith he contemplated his own body, now as good as dead since he was about a hundred years old, and the deadness of Sarah’s womb; yet, with respect to the promise of God, he did not waver in unbelief but grew strong in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully assured that what God had promised, He was able also to perform. Therefore IT WAS ALSO CREDITED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS.” Romans 4:18-22

I was on my way to lunch and as I approached my car, I read my license plate’s frame: “No worries – God’s got it covered!”. I started laughing at myself, thinking of the irony of the statement as I searched my heart that day. I was having one of those days – the devil was on to me, attacking from every front, trying to destroy my testimony, trying to limit my vision to only what I could see at the moment.

Then I read about Abraham and his faith. He did not regard his old body and Sarah’s dead womb. He knew that “God had got it covered”. Looking at the obstacles ahead of him and his limited resources, he chose to trust God, obey and wait on Him. Because of his faith, he has become, as God promised, the “father of many nations.” (Genesis 17:5)

“He received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while uncircumcised, so that he might be the father of all who believe without being circumcised, that righteousness might be credited to them.” Romans 4:11

This passage of Scripture stirs my heart up! That is because Abraham’s life was marked by mistakes, sins, and failures – just like mine. But because of his faith – and his faith alone – he inherited the promise and was found righteous before God.

Abraham inherited the promise, not because of his good works, his good days or bad days, but because of his solemn trust in God and His Word. That completely changes the paradigm of righteousness – my righteousness is not based on how I behave, on the bad days I have, but based on the faith that I placed in Jesus as my Savior and Lord, wherefore I inherited God’s righteousness and His promises.

My righteousness is not based on how I behave, on the bad days I have, but based on the faith that I placed in Jesus as my Savior and Lord, wherefore I inherited God’s righteousness and His promises.
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And so, on days when my not-so-perfect heart attitude causes me to think I may lose God’s promise, Abraham reminds me that nothing can ever move God’s love and acceptance. It is on those days that I teach my heart to cling to the promise Abraham received and that I inherited in Christ Jesus: the promise that, no matter what happens, God’s plans and promises for my life will be fulfilled.

All I have to do is to trust and obey. One step at a time… Through the rough patches… When people and circumstances threaten to bring the worse in me…  It is in those situations that I must remind my heart that the challenges presented are used to conform me to His image, while He works on the rough edges, teaches me to love unconditionally, forgive always.

On days like that, I remember that worry and fear are simply a waste of time because God’s promises do not change. Sometimes I may not see where He is leading, but I know His plan is perfect and will unfold in His perfect time. Abraham saw his body get older, Sarah’s menopause come, and kept on believing. He kept his eyes on his (unseen) promise.

Sometimes I may not see where He is leading, but I know His plan is perfect and will unfold in His perfect time
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 “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” Hebrews 11:1

What is the prize that lies before you? Your Promise Land? Something you have been eagerly waiting for?

Do not lose heart, my friend. The One who promises must deliver! Just tell your heart to believe.

As for me, I went back to my car that day and looked at my license plate with less cynical eyes. For I was reminded that when life is full of uncertainties and circumstances deny a glimpse into the Promise, I can trust that Calvary is still the sacred ground where fears and doubts melt away, and where all God’s promises to me were already fulfilled.

Thank you, Jesus, for purchasing, not only my forgiveness, but also the right to confidently believe!

When life is full of uncertainties and circumstances deny a glimpse into the Promise, trust that Calvary is still the sacred ground where fears and doubts melt away, and all God's promises to us were fulfilled.
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