THE VALLEY MOMENTS

The word valley (according to English Dictionary for Windows Phone) literally refers to “a long depression in the surface of the land that usually contains a river”

The valley moments stated here is a figurative expression of the word. Life as was once remarked by a singer is like an ocean; sometimes it can be calm (and peaceful) and at other times it can be devastatingly turbulent. Just like the ocean, different phases abound in the life of all men. The bible says as much in the book of Ecclesiastes Chapter 3 Verse 1:

“To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven”.

Man has a natural tendency to desire comfort at all times. We as believers often pray that we should never experience these ‘valley moments’. The truth is that these moments are inevitable! As sure as the sun will rise in the morning and the moon at nightfall is, so also are these moments.

One of the greatest apostles of the faith - Paul - urged his protégé; Timothy, in the book of second Timothy Chapter 4 verse 2; to be instant in season and out of season. This clearly displays that Paul was not oblivious to this fact. He knew for sure, that Timothy (as every other man) was bound to encounter this moments.

The fact that one lives a good, righteous and Godly life by all standards does not exempt you from passing through these moments. In fact both the; just and the unjust, the righteous and unrighteous, the Godly and ungodly, will experience good seasons and bad seasons. This is clearly spelt out by Jesus in the book of Matthew Chapter 5 Verse 45:

“That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and the unjust”

The simple fact that you exists on this earth means that you are dead certain to encounter these moments!  

By praying against this moments coming, I daresay that we are praying amiss! This might be a bitter pill to swallow, to me inclusive (I must confess), but nevertheless it remains the truth.

Now, let’s see the assurances we are given in the scriptures when we encounter these moments. The book of Isaiah Chapter 43 verse 2 says:

“When thou passeth through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.”

Notice how this scripture says “when” and not “if”. It implies that though we are certain to encounter this moments, he will not only be with us, but he will also ensure that we will come out triumphant and unscathed. Apostle Paul reaffirmed this in Romans Chapter 8 verse 37:

“Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us”

Again the scripture says in the latter part of Psalms 30 Verse 5:                                 

“Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning”

There is light at the end of the tunnel. In fact a brighter light awaits us at the end of the tunnel than that we first encountered before we entered the dark moment. We can see this from the life of Job. After Job’s valley moment he was blessed beyond what he had before he went into that moment, Job Chapter 42 Verse 12:

“So the Lord blessed the latter end of Job than his beginning: for he had fourteen thousand sheep, and six thousand camels, and a thousand yoke of oxen, and a thousand she asses.”

Still in doubt? Then let’s read Ecclesiastes Chapter 7 Verse 8:

“Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.”

David says in Psalms 23 verse 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”

This came from the mouth of a man I consider an authority on this subject matter. Let’s take a brief look at David’s life. Firstly he started off as somewhat of an outcast in his family. Even his father didn’t consider him worthy of greatness as seen in First Samuel Chapter 16, where Prophet Samuel was directed by God to go and anoint the next King from the house of Jesse. Jesse his father didn’t even line him up amongst his sons to be considered for the position, in fact he had written him off. In my book, that counts as valley moment.

Despite David’s faithful and diligent service to King Saul, he still considered him an enemy to be done away with and even sought to end his life. David was rendered an outcast for the second time in his life, this time an outcast from the entire kingdom of Israel (I Samuel Chapter 24). This was another valley moment.

Even when David was in exile, the Amalekites raided his camp at Ziklag and carted away with he and his men’s wives and possessions (I Samuel Chapter 30). This was yet still another valley moment.

Still, when David was even on the throne, his son (Absalom) usurped his power, overthrew his government and had carnal knowledge of his wives (II Samuel Chapter 15). Another valley moment.

Despite all these events, David still maintained his Faith, believe and trust in God. He came out more than a conqueror.

What am I saying in essence? Though we will encounter these moments, but as believers, God will turn our valley of trouble into a door of hope. Hosea Chapter 2 Verse 15:

“And I will give her vineyard thence, and the valley of Achor for a door of hope: and she shall sing there, as in the days of her youth, and as the day when she came up out of the land of Egypt.”

One might be tempted to ask why we even need to pass through these moments. But a simple quote (not from the bible) goes thus, “what will not kill you, will only make you stronger.” It follows that since we have been assured that we will come out victorious and unhurt, then it remains sure that these moments are only there to bring out a better and stronger ‘us’.

Our prayers as believers should go thus:

1.       Father turn the valley of Achor into a door of hope for me (Hosea 2:15)

1.       Father when I’m in the valley, be with me and comfort me (Psalm 23:4)

Image from: http://www.frenchmoments.eu/vosges/