NOVEMBER 11
“I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help." Psalm 121:1
Would you rather be in the valley or on the mountain? Even though I have a dislike rather than a fear of heights, I would definitely choose the mountain for these reasons –
1. The view. You can see much further
2. The air is cleaner
3. The descent is always easier than the ascent
There are references to ascents in the bible that are truly affirming. ‘A song of Ascents’ is the name given to Psalm chapters 120 -134 and it is in the opening verses of chapter Psalm 121 that we find the inspirational words spoken by David,
“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.3 He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber.”
Even in battle both sets of warriors try to secure the ‘high ground’ because from there they know they have a better vantage point to strategically plan their attacks. So who would want to be in the valley?
Let’s see.
When I think of the word 'valley' and a biblical reference, I don’t suppose I am alone in turning straight to Psalm 23:4
“ 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.”
No, the valley doesn’t seem the most friendless of places does it? I, at least, do not like to dwell on my valley experiences, as the memories are sometimes crippling.
A Christion friend told me she was asked the question this past week, 'but where is God in the valley?' She was also shown the answer which I am now going to share with you.
In Song of Solomon 2:1 God says,
“I am the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys.”
Have you seen how beautiful a lily is? They are truly magnificent, a wonder of creation. Even through the dark times God is there trying to show us that there is beauty in every situation.
Secondly, Deuteronomy 8: 6-8 it tells us
6 Therefore thou shalt keep the commandments of the Lord thy God, to walk in his ways, and to fear him.7 For the Lord thy God bringeth thee into a good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and depths that spring out of valleys and hills;8 A land of wheat, and barley, and vines, and fig trees, and pomegranates; a land of oil olive, and honey;
Gods’ word clearly shows us good things spring out of the valley. Indeed, have you pondered that the lily is an aquatic plant therefore water must flow through the valley.
I trust that in your valley experiences you will recall that God is always there.
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Housekeeping details for you
The point of this short blog will become clear if you decide to use this reading in the way we intend it. Netherfield Seventh-day Adventist Church believes in healthy churches. You can see what that means if you head to the relevant Healthy Churches page of the website. We also want other churches to be healthy. That means you can join in our campaign to create healthy churches, with healthy people serving the people in those churches.
A healthy church is one where Jesus comes first. A healthy church is one where the people work together to put Jesus first. One thing we are doing is to join people together to spread that news. I would like you to look at our prayer partners page. This will explain how we want you to use this short devotional. Very basically we want you to find a like-minded Christian friend who you will join with to : choose to pray together every day, decide together on a way to serve other people together, to help them grow as Christians - and to invite the Holy Spirit into your life every day. This blog that you will receive every day simply gives a common spiritual purpose. If you are a newcomer and want to join the blog with this object in mind click here
