God of the Valleys

We read about Ben-Hadad, the king of Syria, besieging Samaria during Ahab King of Israel in 1 Kings 20.  A vast army of thirty-two kings had sworn allegiance to him.  God did not leave Ahab alone but sent a prophet to tell him that he would come out victorious!  When Israel routed the Syrians, the Syrians said, "Their gods are gods of the hills.  Therefore they were stronger than we; but if we fight against them in the plain, surely we will be stronger than they" (1 kings 20:23).  So they gathered a big army and came against Israel to fight in Aphek.  But Israel routed them out entirely for the Lord Himself fought for them!  Valleys or mountain tops, our God is in control!

It is easy to declare one's faith and God's goodness while going through mountain-top experiences.  But it is challenging to say, 'God is good’ when we walk through dark valleys.  Sometimes our faith wavers.  Sometimes the future seems dark and the present very challenging, shaking the very foundation of our faith.  Is God good?  He may be good, but is God good to me?  How can what I am going through now be good? - are some questions that haunt a believer's soul.  But God has not left us alone.  God has given us His promises through His Word for us to hold on as we walk through the valleys.  Always look back and remember how God has guided us and delivered us in the past.  The Bible says that all things – the good, the bad and the ugly- work together for good to those who love God! (Rom 8:28).  We may be walking through a valley of sickness or financial trouble.  Surely God will deliver us but we have to wait for His time.  In His time, He will make all things beautiful!  ( Eccl. 3:11).

My friend, take heart!  Let us join with the Psalmist and say, "Yea, 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.  You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over" (Ps 23:4,5).  God of the mountain is still God in the valley and God of the good times is still God in the bad times! God of the day is still God in the night!   

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