When we lived in California, one of my favorite views was looking east at the mountain range that bordered the valley. It stood high and beautiful with the peaks covered in snow. In the mornings, I would look up at those mountains and think about how majestic and glorious our God is. His creation was speaking of his majesty. Some days, I would quote the verses Psalms 121: 1-2 I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. 2 My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth. I knew I could find help in my time of need by calling on Jesus. Those mountains reminded me of how big God is and that he is all I need.
Now we live in farm country with fields of crops, and lots of trees and animals. God reveals himself in many ways. This is also creation that speaks of his majesty. He is there at all times and in his creation.
Part of his creation is the valley. We all hear stories of the people who have braved the climb to the mountain top. They reach the pinnacle and are relieved, victorious and shout the joy of reaching the top. They can see for miles and see the valleys all around. But one thing I have realized is that while being on the mountain top is a sign of victory, there is not much growing there. There is nowhere to build a house, place a foundation, nowhere to farm or grow food. There is no sustenance provided on the mountain top. Life and growth happen in the valley. The valley is where the homes are built, foundations laid, crops are produced, farming happens. Life happens in the valley. In the valley, we face the struggles, the trials, the many situations that cause us to grow. We face the hurts, the decisions, and the joys of victory over struggle. Without the valley, we do not grow and live.
Spiritually, we need to go through valleys to grow and become more like Jesus. We cannot always be on the mountain tops. We must grow through the valley. Our spiritual walk will take us through valleys. We need these valleys to draw us closer to Christ, to break off the parts that are not in line with God’s will, and to become molded into His image. It is through the valley, we are changed. It is in the valley we are able to find his peace, his sustenance, and his grace to make it through.
But now, O Lord, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand.
Isaiah 68:8
He wants to make us more like him and the only way to do that is to be submitted to his hand. His will is done in us as he works on us. He removes the things that are not pleasing and replaces it with the fruit that brings him glory. If we lived only on the mountain top with nothing but victory, many of our weaknesses and marred areas would never be revealed. If we don’t face the hardships, we many not realize we have not completely surrenders to his will for us. We need to go through a few things to help us realize how much we still need him and how truly valuable his gift of salvation truly is. It is in the hard moments, that trust and faith is built. The valley gives us the opportunities to face those moments we need to grow.
For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.
1 Corinthians 13:12
The valley gives us reason to come face to face with our Lord in prayer and Bible study. It gives us reason to call on him in faith and call on him in praise. These are the moments he reveals himself to us and reveals parts of ourselves that need to change. I may be in a valley and realize I have not fully trusted God to handle the situation. I may see my own pride getting in the way. This gives me the opportunity to lay my pride before God, and ask him to change me yet again to be more like him. These moments are valuable and bring about a victory. The valley gives us reason to rejoice on that next mountain top. That valley brought us one step closer to being able to reflect him more perfectly.
23 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
4 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.
5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
6 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.
Psalm 23:1-6
Psalm 23 is the one chapter that tells about being in the valley. It is in the valley we find rest and restoration. It is in the valley where God provides and protects. It is the valley we find our sustenance and comfort. It is in the valley we are able to say that his goodness and mercy have followed us. It is so important to walk through those valleys. It is in the valley we are able to become more of who God has intended us to be, to be made more like him and to be able build that relationship with Jesus that leads us to eternal life with him.
